Motshekga backs down on bonuses

2012-08-22 15:30

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga. Picture: Sapa

Loyiso Sidimba, City Press

Johannesburg - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has withdrawn regulations that would have banned perks and bonuses in former Model C schools.

The regulations, part of the South African Schools Act, would have come into effect on 15 December last year but the Federation of Governing Bodies of SA Schools (Fedsas) and the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie brought a Western Cape High Court application to force Motshekga to withdraw them.

Fedsas chief executive Paul Colditz told City Press that the matter was settled out of court last Wednesday.

“The minister agreed with us that the present arrangement in law was sufficient in dealing with the department’s concerns,” Colditz said.

Motshekga’s regulations, a schedule to section 38(a) of the SA Schools Act, would have outlawed:

» Exclusive private usage or ownership of a vehicle
» Free accommodation, phone use (including cellphones), holidays and groceries
» Credit card linked to an employee’s personal use;
» Petrol card linked to an employee’s personal use and not related to the schools’ activities.

Earlier this year, the basic education department said the regulations would strengthen accountability in schools, which would have to apply for permission to pay additional monies and indicate the extent to which this money will come from school fees, fundraising money or donations to the school.

City Press was awaiting a response from the department at the time of publication.

- City Press