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Johannesburg – Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has shut down the Roodepoort primary school in Davidsonville after parents and the provincial department could not agree on the future of its principal.

“The MEC has decided to close the school indefinitely,” said spokesperson Phumla Sekhonyane.

“We will place learners into neighbouring schools.”

She said the education department had opened an operational centre in the Davidsonville community hall.

“The district office will be at hand to assist with placement, we encourage parents to go there to inquire about placement of children.”

Community members protested outside the school in western Johannesburg again yesterday.

Parents have made allegations of fraudulent appointment of teachers and mismanagement of funds.

The MEC investigated several matters related to the appointment of three SA Democratic Teachers Union teachers, with the community saying due process was not followed. The principal and chairperson of the school governing body were also accused of maladministration.

A community member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the MEC had decided the principal must return to the school but that the parents were very unhappy with the decision.

As a result, angry community members closed the school yesterday morning, prompting the MEC to announce its permanent shut-down.

“He [Lesufi] just came to make it worse,” she said.

But Lesufi hit back via his spokesperson yesterday: “I’ve extended my hand to this community. What’s happening now is provocation beyond endurance.”

He will not be “bullied”, his spokesperson added.

The department was expected to approach the South Gauteng High Court to seek an interdict to prevent the community from perpetrating acts of violence against the employees or department. – News24