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Following the memorandum submitted by learners from the Cefups Academy on Monday, 14 May 2001, the Head of Department, Dr Tim Mashinini, was compelled to institute a departmental investigation into the contained allegations.

These related to, among other matters:

* The administering of corporal punishment;
* Ill-treatment of learners and employees; and
* General health and sanitary conditions.

After careful analysis of the preliminary findings, it became necessary that the Head of Department take urgent steps to liaise with the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the alleged administering of corporal punishment inflicted on several learners be criminally pursued.

Secondly, the Department will urgently institute mechanisms to investigate the veracity of serious claims made pertaining to the blatant contravention of policy governing the existence or otherwise of independent schools.

MEC Craig Padayachee has expressed "serious shock, disgust and disbelief at the preliminary findings, and will, as a consequence, fully support any appropriate measures by the Head of Department in dealing with this horrific situation".

In executing its overriding functions MEC Padayachee is also of the considered view that his department is "constitutionally obliged to ensure that the provision of teaching and learning in the Province is conducted within the strict prescripts of the relevant laws of the land." The MEC is also emphatic that the flagrant disregard of these laws will under no circumstances be tolerated.

As a consequence, he further encourages "all parents, educators and learners to be vigilant and blow the transparent covers of all those bent on abusing the humanity of learners in the good name of education. There are acceptable alternative measures to corporal punishment, and educators are seriously urged to consider and implement these."

Contact: Peter Maminza at 013 752 4311 or 082 445 3791.

Issued by: Office of the MEC for Education, Mpumalanga, 24 May 2001