By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) has renewed calls for a full-scale investigation into alleged maladministration and unpaid wages at Thiboloha School for the Deaf and Blind, as a bitter labour dispute escalates.
Union-affiliated School Governing Body members picketed during conciliation proceedings at the Department of Labour on 19 February, demanding payment of outstanding wages and accountability over the school’s finances.
Free State regional secretary Teboho Mokoena said NEHAWU has filed two disputes with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) – one over unpaid wages and another over alleged failure to pay the minimum wage.
“The employer told the CCMA there were no funds and that some workers were volunteering. There is no volunteering when people are doing essential work. If they are needed, they must be paid,” Mokoena said.
He accused district authorities of failing to act and said the union is restarting processes to force a formal investigation.
“We want a full report on what is happening to the school’s funds. The Department of Education is not taking decisive steps or communicating findings,” he said.
In April last year, NEHAWU called for the resignation of principal Khooa Steven Lerata, accusing him of incompetence and maladministration.
The union claimed SGB employees went unpaid for three months, including night and weekend allowances. But the Free State Department of Education disputes the claims.
Spokesperson Howard Ndaba confirmed two matters had been referred to the CCMA: allegations that 13 workers were not reporting for duty, and a dispute over minimum wage compliance.
“The matters have been referred to arbitration after conciliation failed. We currently do not have workers owed any salaries who have served the school,” Ndaba said.
He added that the SGB has issued a retrenchment consultation notice, with talks set for 26 February.
The dispute now heads to arbitration, with both sides digging in as pressure mounts for transparency over the school’s finances.
