By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A bargaining chamber for teachers has ordered the Gauteng education department to reinstate the principal of Parktown Boys’ High School, Malcolm Williams.
Williams was fired by Gauteng education department in December almost 12 months after the death of Enoch Mpianzi.
Mpianzi, drowned in the Crocodile River on January 15 last year during an excursion to the Nyathi Bush and River Break in Brits, in the North West. He and some other boys were on a makeshift raft that overturned hours after they arrived at the camp.
On Tuesday the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) ordered the department to reinstate Williams from December 8 2020, the day he was dismissed.
He must report for duty on July 1.
The department was also ordered to pay Williams an amount of R285,594 — equivalent to six months of his salary — by July 30.
Williams argued that his dismissal on two counts of alleged misconduct was substantively and procedurally unfair.
The allegations he was found guilty of were:
1. He unjustifiably prejudiced the administration, discipline or efficiency of the department by undertaking a Grade 8 orientation camp without prior approval.
2. He failed to ensure that a correct roll call for all pupils who went to the excursion was maintained.
The department issued Williams with a notice of dismissal relating to the death of Mpianzi in October following a forestic report.
The forensic report was compiled by Harris Nupen Molebatsi attorneys, found that the principal, teachers, the school and the department of education, were all negligent in the 13-year-old’s death.