Sowetan

'Fired for asking for her salary'

By Frank Maponya Limpopo Bureau Chief | Sep 01, 2016

A Limpopo school teacher has kissed her job goodbye apparently after raising concerns about not being paid for six months.

Anna Sebopela, 46, had been teaching at Refilwe Primary School in Namakgale outside Phalaborwa without getting a salary.

She was appointed on a permanent basis in September last year and earned a salary until December. However, the position for which Sebopela had been appointed was mysteriously turned into a temporary post.

This was despite the fact that she was appointed on a permanent basis. Sebopela had left a temporary post at another school in Ohrigstad, north of Lydenburg, to take up the permanent position at Refilwe Primary.

Sebopela said she was sent from pillar to post when she enquired about her payment and clarity over the position. "I have five children that I must feed, but because I have not been paid for the work done it has been a Herculean task to support them," she said.

She said her husband was unemployed, making her situation worse.

"I have tried everything in my power to get what is due to me but [I] am not succeeding. I humbly request that the matter involving my post and salary be investigated by the provincial head office of the department of education," she said.

She said she was surprised to be given a letter of termination of her employment on Tuesday, informing her that her employment was coming to an end the following day.

Sebopela reported for work yesterday.

Provincial department of education spokesman Naledzani Rasila yesterday advised Sebopela to write a formal complaint so that they could assist her.

"The complaint will be investigated and if what she is saying is true then those involved will be dealt with," Rasila said.

The department had found that more than 200 temporary teachers had not been paid their salaries for months.

The matter is now receiving attention.

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