Dept investigates ghost teacher

POLOKWANE – A possible ghost teacher is being investigated by the department of education in Limpopo.

Phuti Seloba, departmental spokesperson said the department had been aware of the matter for some time. “Our legal department is busy investigating the matter and the team is almost done with their investigation. Until then, I am not at liberty to give comment on the matter. A soon as our investigations are concluded I will give feedback on the matter,” Seloba said.

What started as a phone call by Kobus Smith, a debt collector to enquire about a debt payment ended with him stumbling on a case of a possible ghost teacher.

David Madire is a teacher but, according to Smith, he is no longer working for the department. “The man has not been working for the department for the past three years, but receives a salary every month,” Smith said.

Madire denied the allegation against him. “I worked for the department for more than 16 years and I worked at three different schools before I resigned in June last year. I started teaching in 1996 at Mmalesiba Secondary School and in 2000 I was transferred to B. Mkhabela Secondary School. In August 2008, I was transferred to Maditsi High School, where I worked until June 2012 when I resigned and received my pension,” Madire said, although he could not provide proof of his employment.

According to Madire, the department advertised a teacher’s post at Manoke Secondary School this year. He applied and his application was allegedly successful. “I was appointed on March 1,” he said. Hlabje Jujuju from Manoke Secondary confirmed that Madire was a teacher at their school.