Durban — Following pressure from the staff and the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has fired the Coastal KZN TVET college head, Ndoda Biyela.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Nzimande said he had reached a mutual agreement with Biyela to bring to a close the period of his administration by the end of August.
The minister said the department had commenced the process to appoint a permanent principal in order to bring certainty and stability to the college.
An acting principal would be appointed from next month, and the finalisation of the appointment of a permanent principal was at an “advanced stage”.
Nzimande said the decision was taken after he noted several concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the functioning of the college.
“Minister Nzimande wishes to thank all stakeholders including staff members, labour unions and students for having worked with the administrator in ensuring that the academic project is not compromised.
“The minister also wishes to thank the administrator for his willingness to serve the college and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” read the statement.
Sadtu in the province, which had issued a statement two weeks ago calling for the removal of Biyela, welcomed his dismissal, saying it was long overdue.
Sadtu provincial secretary, Nomarashiya Caluza said: “We are happy with the decision but we are not happy that he is not leaving now.
“Our fear is that in these two weeks while he is still in charge he can still cause further damage, but our union wants him to be investigated for the allegation of malpractices under his leadership.”
The union had accused Biyela of deliberately collapsing the college, saying instead of improving its functioning, the state of the college had deteriorated under his leadership.
The union said there had been no teaching and learning for many weeks at the institution – as the college gates had been allegedly locked by security guards, who had apparently not been paid.
In addition, the union said students had not been given any proper meals for weeks.
“Information is that the college, which used to have reserves, is now bankrupt to the extent that some workers remain unpaid.
“Students are without textbooks, construction and renovations have stopped. The condition of some of the college buildings is now a threat to the lives of workers and students,” said the union.
Sadtu further said it believed that part of the wastage of college money was due to the fact that the administrator had stayed in a hotel in uMhlanga and the college had been paying for his stay there since his arrival in 2020.
The union also said there had been a duplication of staff in that Biyela had allegedly brought his own staff, thus putting the college and Department of Higher Education and Training employed staff in a situation where they did nothing, as he had his own staff.
Biyela had not responded to the questions sent to him by the time of publication.
Daily News