×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Sadtu faces R1m suit for racism accusation

THE South African Democratic Teachers Union in KwaZulu-Natal is to appear before the Equality Court in Durban today to answer a R1million suit for describing as racist employees of a company that allegedly supplied "expired juice" to pupils.

THE South African Democratic Teachers Union in KwaZulu-Natal is to appear before the Equality Court in Durban today to answer a R1million suit for describing as racist employees of a company that allegedly supplied "expired juice" to pupils.

The union (Sadtu) claims the pupils became sick after drinking the juice. It then wrote to the complainants, managers of the Moses Kotane Institute, protesting about the company's "poor service" and calling the supplying of stale food to pupils a racially inspired action.

The company was contracted to supply food to pupils during the union's matric intervention programme last September.

The managers of the suppliers, Theresa Davies and Amanda Burdett, argue in papers before the court that the letter degraded their dignity and accused them of running business "like in the apartheid times".

But Sadtu is adamant that they are going to win the case, said provincial secretary Mbuyiseni Mathonsi.

"With this case, we want to stop the people who pocket money and give our children rotten food," Mathonsi said.

The complainants have filed separate lawsuits. Davis is suing for R750000, while Burdett for R350000.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.