Humansdorp Senior Secondary School principal Shaun Felix has been placed on precautionary suspension by Eastern Cape education authorities.
The decision was taken on Friday last week after the fatal stabbing of grade 12 pupil Liyolo Wakeni, 18, on the school premises on September 23.
Deputy principal Jerome Kock has been temporarily appointed as acting principal.
Six suspects, including four minors, were arrested on the day Liyolo was murdered.
The other two were Gregon Stevens and Lathitha Buzani, both 18 years old.
All six appeared for their bail application in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday last week.
Stevens and Buzani had their matter remanded for bail judgment on Thursday. The application involving the minors is scheduled to be heard on Friday.
Phone calls and text messages to Felix went unanswered on Monday.
Eastern Cape education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the incident that led to Liyolo’s death was the basis of the department’s action.
“The principal by virtue of his appointment remains the accountable officer at the school.
“These and other concerns raised by the staff necessitated the department to initiate and investigate,” Mtima said.
He said the decision to suspend Felix was taken to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.
Mtima said Kock assumed the role of acting principal on the day of his appointment.
“A staff meeting was held and the circuit manager pledged his support to Mr Kock and the SMT [school management team] of the school.
“The department is committed to stabilising the school and to monitor and support the acting principal, SMT and school community,” Mtima said.
He said the outcome of the investigation would determine whether further action would be taken.
“The SGB is new and [the chair] of the SGB raised concerns regarding the principal’s general conduct; the extent of these concerns will come out during the course of this investigation,” Mtima said.
SGB chair Ben Ruiters said among its concerns was the school’s huge electricity bill that resulted in the Kouga local municipality cutting off electricity to the hostels on Wednesday last week.
He said the school’s account had been referred to a debt collector. The outstanding amount totalled about R800,000.
Ruiters said the SGB was not satisfied with the manner in which the department had dealt with Felix’s removal and appointed Kock to act as principal.
“When a principal is suspended, the SGB, in co-operation with the department of education, typically appoints an acting principal, usually from among senior staff, following a selection process that ensures transparency and adherence to policies,” he said.
DA MPL Horatio Hendricks said Felix’s suspension came at a time when the school’s management and governance was in turmoil.
“I was called by the SGB chair last week who raised the concern about the lack of transparency and alleged financial mismanagement by the principal, and the fact that electricity was cut at the school hostel, owing R1.7m to Kouga municipality,” Hendricks said.
He said the school had paid R60,000 to restore its electricity supply, but needed to make a down-payment of at least R500,000.
“I negotiated with the municipality on behalf of the school, and the electricity has been restored with the possibility of making a new arrangement later this week,” he said.
Kouga municipal manager Charl du Plessis confirmed the electricity debt.
But he said the R500,000 mentioned by Hendricks was merely an example.
“In practice, a substantial payment is required for reconnection, after which appropriate payment arrangements must be made to settle the outstanding balance,” Du Plessis said.
The ANC’s PX Mabindla Branch chair, Mfundiso Oliphant, welcomed the department’s decision to suspend Felix.
“The allegations reported, which include financial mismanagement, failure to address incidents of violence and neglect of staff absenteeism, are deeply concerning.
“If proven true, they would represent a serious breach of trust, leadership and accountability expected from anyone entrusted with leading an educational institution,” Oliphant said.
He said the school community, including parents, pupils and teachers, deserved leadership that was transparent, capable and committed to creating a safe and conducive learning environment.
Felix has worked for the department for more than 30 years and has served as the school’s principal for more than five years.
The Herald
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