Announcement on the redeployment of the Department of Basic Education Director-General

The Minister of Basic Education Mrs Angie Motshekga earlier this year promised to give details once all reports concerning the Director General were finalized. The Minister has since received all the reports from the Public Protector, Public Service Commission and from Judge Willem Van der Merwe. The reports from Judge Van der Merwe and PSC have cleared the DG while the Minister will seek an audience with the Public Protector.

The DG reflected on the reports and subsequently asked the Minister to consider redeploying him to other responsibilities in government. After a very long time and painful consideration the Minister eventually acceded to the request of Mr Soobrayan.

Mr Soobrayan said now that his name has been cleared it would not be fair to allow the sector to be held to ransom in his name.

Since 2009 when the Minister and DG started working together there have been significant achievements recorded in the sector. The upward trend in the National Senior Certificate results is but one example that can be mentioned.

Mr. Soobrayan leaves the sector that is fairly stable and has already started to implement the goals of the National Development Plan.

The Minister has wished him well.

The Minister has appointed her former special adviser Panyaza Lesufi as Acting Director-General until end of April 2014.

Statement issued by Elijah Mhlanga, Department of Basic Education, March 31 2014

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