Limpopo Education Department Ordered to Pay R50,000 for Unfairly Snubbing Top Teacher

The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) has ordered the Limpopo Department of Education to pay R50,000 in compensation after it unfairly excluded a highly qualified teacher from a principal post at Makhutjisha Secondary School.

The ruling followed a dispute lodged by MM Rakgwale, who argued that despite being the most qualified and experienced candidate, she was repeatedly sidelined in favour of a male candidate.

A flawed recruitment process

Rakgwale initially aced the interview for the principal position and received a recommendation from the School Governing Body (SGB). But the department annulled the recruitment process after a grievance was filed by JM Maswanganyi, who later secured the job following repeated shortlisting and interview rounds.

Although Rakgwale had acted as principal in the past and was shortlisted multiple times, she was later excluded without clear justification.

In her testimony to the ELRC, Rakgwale accused the department of bias, pointing to the involvement of Mr. Mbadalinga, who allegedly influenced the process by suggesting only one candidate from a marginalised group should be considered.

Commissioner slams unfair treatment

In his ruling, ELRC Commissioner Thapelo Mathekga criticised the department’s handling of the matter.

“I am satisfied that the department committed an unfair labour practice against Rakgwale by failing to shortlist her despite her adequate qualifications and experience for no apparent reason, given that she was previously shortlisted at least twice in the same recruitment process,” he said.

Mathekga ruled that the unfair treatment amounted to procedural irregularities and caused Rakgwale emotional distress, warranting financial compensation.

Broader implications for education governance

The case highlights persistent challenges in recruitment processes within the education sector, where complaints of bias, irregularities, and gender inequality are not uncommon.

By awarding R50,000 in damages, the ELRC signaled that procedural fairness must be upheld in appointments and that the rights of qualified candidates cannot be undermined through irregular practices.

{Source: The Citizen}

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