MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION APPOINTS RETIRED JUDGE W VAN DER MERWE TO PRESIDE AT DISCIPLINARY HEARING OF DIRECTOR GENERAL MR. PB SOOBRAYAN

Following the referral of allegations by the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) to the Public Service Commission (PSC) and correspondence to the Minister that disciplinary charges be brought against the Director - General, the Minister consulted Senior Counsel on the matter. Senior Counsel advised that the Director - General be provided with the opportunity to state his case as the right to be heard is such a fundamental tenet of our legal system.

The Director - General was given 14 days within which to respond to the allegations against him and on 22 July 2013, having considered the DG's submission, the Minister has decided to allow for these matters to be ventilated in a disciplinary hearing. The minister has approached retired high court judge, Justice W van der Merwe to preside at the hearing.

The Minister will allow the Director - General to take special leave to afford him the space to adequately prepare his defence once the disciplinary process commences within a period of ten days as stipulated in the relevant prescripts. Mr Paddy Padayachee will be appointed as the acting Director - General until the disciplinary matter against the Director - General is concluded

Statement issued by Panyaza Lesufi, spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education, July 23 2013

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