PA’s left in the lurch

The graduates were employed as personal assistants (PA’s) in the office of the principal for different schools.

They worked for two months without pay before their two-year contract was prematurely terminated.

News of the vacancies were spread out by word of mouth, whilst in some other schools the posts were advertised on notice boards and it is alleged that the message was conveyed by the District Senior Manager of Mopani, Dr Lydia Mafenya.

They were promised to get paid based on the number of learners in the school they were assigned in. ‘If the school has up to 300 learners we were told we will get R2000, from 500 upwards R2800,’ said one complainant.

It is believed Harmony Monyane of Bakubung Business Machines approached schools saying they must send the word out that he was hiring and also told the schools he had a tender with Telkom to supply schools with telephones.

According to the complainant, schools were told the telephone is connected to a printer, fax machine and can also send emails. It is alleged he sold the one phone for R11 000. It is also claimed that he buys the phone for R1250 at Telkom. When contacted for comment, Monyane said he never terminated anybody’s contract but told the PA’s to stop going to work. ‘There is currently no financial support for the program, I cannot tell people to go to work when there is no money to pay them,’ said Monyane.

He said he runs the same programs in Free State, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape has never had any funding problems in the three provinces, unlike in Limpopo.

Monyane said he had two sponsors but one pulled out. He also added that he has now involved the Department of Labour in the matter. Monyane also maintain he was approached by some graduates saying they don’t want payment, but experience.

By the time of going to press the Department of Education Spokesperson, Jack Mokobi could not be reached for comment.