On the first day of school, dissatisfied community members at both schools were striking due to the appointment of staff. Another school, Sasekani High in Mphagani, is also under scrutiny after alleged misconduct in the appointment of the vice-principal.

One community member from Khaxani village spoke to a local radio station on the appointment of the vice-principal post. He said during the selection proceedings which included the school governing body (SGB), a candidate, Hlanganani Mongwe, scored 96 points. The candidate after him scored 76. He said that when the appointments were made they were shocked to discover that the candidate who obtained the first position did not get the post, but the candidate who obtained second position was appointed.

“When we enquired we were told by the circuit manager, Ebbie Nkuna of the Department of Education, that they followed gender equality regulations and that is why they appointed the second person since it was a woman,” said Happy Mbombi.

On inquiry, the Department of Education said that the matter is being looked into and that it will be resolved as soon as possible. “Zava High has a principal, the issue at stake is the departmental head post. “As we speak the circuit and district bodies are addressing the community on the matter together with the police,” said Tidimalo Chuene, spokesperson of the department in Limpopo.

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“The Sasekani posts will be attended to as soon as the circuit manager is done with other responsibilities. It is the same circuit manager dealing with Zava and Mhitlwa. “We are confident that challenges at these schools will be resolved soon and amicably to allow for smooth teaching and learning,” she said. The circuit manager has since held meetings with community members at Zava High School with the police in attendance.

“Community members are dissatisfied by how it went and have stated that until the matter is resolved, schools will not open. “We as the police visited them again on Sunday and they stated that they will not discuss anything without the Department of Education present,” said Const Ridgewell Rikhotso, spokesperson for the police in the Giyani area.