The tragedy that befell Jabulile Secondary School, in Orange Farm last week, when their principal was murdered in his car was described by the Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi as a heavy blow the department has been dealt. Lesufi was speaking at a media briefing where he also addressed the re-opening of schools and late applications.
“It’s quite clear that this was a hit because it’s similar to taxi wars and if we allow people to use taxi violence tendencies to resolve education matters then we are in trouble”, said Lesufi as he described the horrific ordeal. He elaborated on the incident stating that the financial mismanagement of the school’s funds led to Mr Emmanuel Tshivhase’s murder.
During certain School Governing Body meetings insults would be hurled in the room which resulted in physical fights between SGB members. Following these findings the department then decided to dissolve the SGB and replace it with the Head of Department.
“If those [individuals] that killed the principal thought they would ascend to the position after his death [then] they are wrong”, he continued. The education department has launched a forensic investigation on all the finances of Jabulile Secondary School. The school’s finances will be handled by the district from now on.
“We need to know who authorised this hit because it’s quite clear that someone in that school authorised it”, he said.
Lesufi visited Tshivhase’s family on Monday and mentioned that he’d also be present at the memorial service on Wednesday, 15 January. Principal Tshivhase will be laid to rest on Friday.
