'Teacher locked us out of school'

KwaZulu-Natal health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo opened a case against a teacher yesterday for allegedly locking teachers and pupils out of their school

"I have laid a formal complaint with the SA Police Service at Osizweni, near Newcastle, where I found at 11.30am teachers and school children standing outside classrooms," he said.

The MEC was in the area doing government work when he received a phone call about disruptions at Khethokuhle secondary school.

When he arrived, he found teachers and pupils locked out.

Police forced open the school gates and found that classrooms were also locked.

"Dhlomo then held a meeting with the principal and called in the highest-ranking police official from the local station," health department spokesperson Chris Maxon said.

"The principal said they were having a problem with that specific teacher."

Dhlomo opened a case of unlawfully denying access into government property.

"The police told the MEC the teacher would be arrested by 4pm," said Maxon.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Phindile Radebe said she was awaiting feedback from police.

Maxon said the matter was not reported to the provincial education department.