Parents, teachers lock principal out of school

Teaching and learning got off to a rocky start when it was halted at Liwa Primary school in Nyanga, on Tuesday morning, due to a feud between the principal, teachers and parents.

Teachers and pupils’ parents locked the principal out of the school accusing him of corruption and abuse towards teachers. The angry mob blocked the entrance to the school and pupils were sent home.

When Vukani arrived at the school, the parents and teachers were sitting outside. The principal Mlungisi Fani was standing next to his car. The gates were locked and few pupils were milling around.

A teacher who spoke to Vukani said: “He is sex monster. The man has no manners at all. Tell me what kind of principal wants to have love affairs with his staff? We cannot have somebody like him. We have read in the newspapers that he was like this even in his previous school in Du Noon. We feel that is why the Department of Education has transferred him here.”

Meanwhile, parents who did not want to be identified, said they were unhappy with what they have been hearing from their children.

One parent said she was school chased from the school like a dog by the principal.

“I was told my daughter was sick but the security at the gate refused me entry. The principal then shouted at me instead of asking why I was there. I was a bit shocked about his behaviour. He is rude,” she said.

Another parent said she had never met such an arrogant principal.

She said parents had been forced to pay R2 000 for a farewell.

“The farewell of the grade 7s was right here at the premises. We paid R2 000 for his pocket because the farewell was not a wow thing. The man is arrogant. For him to do things for you, you must also pay him,” one said.

The parents said they wrote numerous letters to the education department and the district but nothing has happened. They vowed that there will be learning and education until Mr Fani is gone.

Millicent Merton, directorate: communication, Western Cape Education Department confirmed that a small group of parents blocked the gate, preventing pupils from entering the school premises. She said the circuit manager visited the school and engaged with the parents but they could not specify the nature of their grievances.

“The Circuit Manager offered to meet with teachers and the group of parents to hear their grievances but they refused. A parents meeting has been scheduled for this weekend,” she said.

Ms Merton promised that teaching and learning is expected to resume at the school. She added that the district officials will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Vukani tried to speak to the principal but could not because of the crowd.