Court challenge to Sadtu leader's expulsion

EASTERN Cape allies of expelled teachers' union president Thobile Ntola have finally resolved to go to court to challenge his expulsion. This comes amid deepening divisions within the SA Democratic Teachers' Union, marked by ongoing engagements between the national executive committee (NEC) and its provincial counterpart (PEC) over plans to disband the Eastern Cape structure. Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke and his deputy, Nkosana Dolopi, did not respond to text messages or calls yesterday. The leader of the Eastern Cape group, Andile Mtirara, said their lawyers were expected to file papers soon. He said they had decided to go to court because the NEC had not responded to a letter stating their intention to do so, which was sent last month. "The court challenge is also a strategy to get the NEC to reinstate Ntola and others who had been suspended." Mtirara accused the national executive of wanting to manipulate the provincial conference, due to be held in two weeks' time, by having people in favour of them elected. These individuals would then attend the national congress in September. But, he said, the NEC plan backfired after the PEC explained the implications of its suspension. "The PEC explained that the 18 members in the structure include leaders of regional executive committees, which means that they are interfering with regions. The NEC then called for a ceasefire because they saw the plan was not going to succeed. They know anyone who will be contesting PEC positions will be seen as being sent by the NEC," Mtirara said. Last month, a disciplinary committee found Ntola guilty of six of 10 charges against him. - Msindisi Fengu