MBOMBELA – The recent disruption of scholar transport has been condemned by the MEC for the department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT). Operators of school buses went on a strike in some parts of Mbombela last week, claiming they were owed outstanding payments by the department.
“The allegations that are levelled against the department of any outstanding payments are far from the truth. The department takes strong exception to bad elements that are disrupting teaching and learning in schools, disguising as concerned operators,” said MEC Ms Dumisile Nhlengethwa.
In 2009 scholar transport was moved from education to the DPWRT. Nhlengethwa said that since then all invoices that were submitted and verified have been paid by her department. She added that it was concerning that the operators embarked on such an unfortunate action without first seeking an audience with the department.
The MEC convened a meeting with the operators for last Tuesday, but the department said they failed to attend, instead demanding to bring along operators who ae not contracted to the department.
The DPWRT said it reminded the operators that their strike action put them in breach of their contract with the department.
“Further disruptions will leave the department with no option but to terminate the contracts. The department respects the rights of individuals and parties to raise issues, boycott, march and protest, but the rights of the learners to be in class on time is equally important especially in the context that education is classified as an essential service and that all sectors of society need to promote the culture of learning and teaching.”
The department went on to call their interests “selfish” and requested them to resume operations with immediate effect. “Our doors remain open for further engagement as we believe that solutions are found through engagements.”
