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• DA submits parliamentary questions to MEC Sipho Hlomuka regarding ongoing Westville Senior Primary School saga.
• DA seeks commitment from 402MEC Hlomuka on reopening of investigation and clear communication.
• The learners, educators and the broader Westville community deserve better.
The DA has submitted written parliamentary questions (view here) to KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, following his department’s failure to provide answers or closure despite numerous serious, longstanding allegations against the current principal at Westville Senior Primary.
The allegations, by parents and staff, include administrative mismanagement, deteriorating staff morale and inappropriate sexual comments. This matter has now dragged o n for more than three years, to the detriment of learners, parents, educators and school staff.
Despite repeated assurances by KZN’s Department of Education (DoE) that the matter was under investigation, the department is yet to finalise or disclose the outcomes of the processes it claims to have undertaken.
This lack of transparency and meaningful communication has led to deep frustration within the school community. It also raises questions about whether the DoE is protecting its own officials rather than acting in the interests of learners and educators.
Recent media reports have again drawn public attention to the issue and the DA calls on MEC Hlomuka and his department to immediately reopen the investigation. Equally, we call on him to ensure that it is conducted through an independent, transparent process with clear timelines and regular communication with affected stakeholders.
In addition to the current public outcry and media scrutiny, the DA has submitted a set of formal parliamentary questions seeking;
• Confirmation of the number of complaints received by DoE and the nature of the complaints;
• Timelines and findings of any investigations conducted to date;
• The DoE’s engagement – or lack thereof – with the School Governing Body (SGB) and parents to date and;
• Whether MEC Hlomuka will commit to a new, independent enquiry into the matter.
It is unacceptable that such a serious matter remains unresolved after so long. The silence and lack of accountability from the DoE only fuels speculation and distrust.
The DA will continue to fight for accountability and fairness within our education system. We urge MEC Hlomuka to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves – for the sake of learners, educators and the broader Westville community.