The principal of Mvenyane High School in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, has denied allegations that he expelled female learners from the school hostel after they failed to pay school fees.
The controversy emerged after Informer published a report on Monday night following allegations that girls staying at the Mvenyane High School hostel had been sent away by their principal Mr Q. Maphosa because of outstanding fees.
Informer witnessed some of the learners arriving at the Matatiele police station in a taxi, where arrangements were being made to find them a place to sleep. Other learners from nearby areas, including Area C and Maluti, were taken home by motorists. Those from further away, including Mt Fletcher and surrounding areas, remained at the police station, visibly distressed and in tears.
Informer also spoke to the Department of Education’s regional Chief Director, Monwabisi Mbangeni, who said he was already aware of the matter. Mbangeni said the school’s principal, Maphosa, had switched off both of her phones when officials attempted to contact her.
On Tuesday, Maphosa wrote a letter to parents in which she strongly denied that any learners had been expelled or prevented from accessing the hostel.
According to the letter, an agreement had been reached for learners to return to school on Monday, despite the school being closed. Maphosa claimed that it was the learners themselves who allegedly told others that those who had not paid should turn back.
She further stated that no learner had been refused entry to the hostel, contrary to what had been widely reported.
“The issue of payment status is being discussed with the learners,” Maphosa said in the letter.
She added that all learners were expected to be in their classrooms on Tuesday, regardless of their circumstances.
However, Mbangeni strongly disputed the principal’s version of events and warned that action would be taken against him.
“No children can simply turn back from school when nothing was said to them. The children did not make this up,” Mbangeni said angrily.
The conflicting accounts have raised concerns over how the matter was handled and whether learners were left without accommodation despite being expected to return to school.
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