By OBAKENG MAJE
25 March 2025- The MM Sebitloane Special School in Lokaleng village, near Taung, has been rocked by an alleged job-for-pals scandal involving the school principal, Boipelo Gloria Mmokwa. This was after community members embarked on a protest at the school on Monday and demanded to be appointed.
According to some community members, Mmokwa appointed her cronies on various posts without even advertising. They alleged that those who were appointed come as far as Zeerust, Hartswater and Limpopo, while they are not being considered.
One of the community members who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “We have seen those posts a few months ago, but they were cancelled. However, we only realised now that there were people who were subsequently appointed.
“Those posts were not advertised. So, we demand fair treatment as a community of Lokaleng. We all meet the necessary criteria for those posts. So, we are not going to allow Mmokwa to run this school to the ground and undermine us,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said: “According to the information provided by MM Sebitloane, the School Governing Body (SGB) advertised positions for sports-related roles in response to a decline in sports participation. The SGB aimed to recruit individuals who could engage learners in various sports activities after school hours.
“Members of the community were given the opportunity to apply for these positions. All appointed individuals reside in Taung, a village in close proximity to the school.”
Molokwane said Mmokwa also refuted allegations that individuals were recruited from Hartswater, Zeerust areas and Limpopo Province. He said the SGB, as a legal entity, possesses the authority to appoint personnel and utilise their fundraising efforts to compensate for the services they require.
“Typically, SGBs provide stipends rather than salaries, as their budget does not permit such expenditures. In hostel schools, positions are created based on household needs, implying that the roles are defined according to the specific requirements of the hostel.
The Guardian 