Alfred Moselakgomo

Alfred Moselakgomo

An Mpumalanga school principal and his deputy have been sent packing by an angry community who accuse them of mismanaging the school.

The community of Leeufontein near KwaMhlanga has given the provincial education department a petition in which they call for the dismissal of the two from Digwale Secondary School.

But the community is divided. One group says the two should return because teaching and learning is suffering, while the other is threatening to manhandle the two if they set foot on school premises again.

The disgruntled parents accuse the two, who have not been at the school for three weeks, of failing to prevent the escalating number of teachers involved in sexual relationships with pupils, the disappearance of school funds and lack of transport for pupils to and from school.

According to a member of the community, Ephraim Segudi, the headmaster and his deputy angered the community because they allegedly misused school funds and had relationships with pupils.

"We have always maintained a zero tolerance attitude towards improper conduct anywhere in our village and we have proved that," said one villager who asked not to be named.

"We have ordered the two to stay away from the school grounds or else," he said.

Jasper Zwane, provincial education department spokesman, confirmed they had received a petition calling for the dismissal of the two.

"We have sent a team to talk to the community and we hope this matter will be resolved soon," he said.