Pretoria - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has warned that government will act harshly against striking teachers found guilty of criminal actions.
Motshekga said she was concerned by recent reports of intimidation, damage to public property and the forceful disruption of normal schooling by striking teachers, especially in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
"I have spoken to the Ministers of Police and Justice, and as government we will act harshly against anyone making themselves guilty of such criminal actions.
"I want to caution these members against such actions and am appealing to teacher unions to act decisively to discipline these members, the leadership of all teacher unions must ensure that all their members abide by the strike rules and the code of good practice," warned Motshekga.
She further called on all striking teachers who will be exercising their right to strike to respect the rights of those who decide not to join the industrial action.
"We recognise the constitutional right of all workers, including teachers to strike... this is a protected strike and teachers can freely choose to join the industrial action without fear of dismissal or victimisation by the state," said the minister.
However, School Governing Body (SGB)-employed teachers are not included in the collective bargaining processes of the Public Sector Coordinating Bargaining Council and are not allowed to join the industrial action. SGBs must ensure that these teachers understand their contractual obligations and continue to fulfil the same.
"We also encourage SGBs and Community Based Organisations to convene urgent, regular meetings to study and monitor the situation at schools and develop relevant plans to respond. All our schools will remain open and I have requested our SGB federations to support schools during this difficult time by supervising learners where it is practical to do so," Motshekga said.
She reiterated that the principle of "no work no pay" will apply during the strike and all provincial education departments have taken the necessary steps to ensure that this policy strictly applied for the duration of the strike.
"Such deductions will be effected at the conclusion of the strike."
Government, she said, has made every effort to find a resolution to the deadlock in the current round of salary negotiations.
