Picture: The embattled principal of Othaile Primary School, Scoco Kgatlhane/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
1 November 2026 – The North West Department of Education said it will not take any action against the embattled principal of Othaile Primary School, Scoco Kgatlhane (30), in Morokweng village, near Ganyesa. This comes after Kgatlhane was arrested for allegedly being in possession of illegal firearm and ammunition.
The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District police spokesperson, Tryphosa van Rooyen said a tip-off was received that Kgatlhane has a firearm that was suspected to be unlicensed. Van Rooyen said the information was followed up.
“The suspect was found in possession of the said firearm and was arrested. He briefly appeared in Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on 21 October 2026 and was facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition,” she said.
It is alleged that Kgatlhane was granted a R3000 bail and his case was allegedly postponed to 26 November 2026.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Dr Elias Malindi said: “Section 18 of the EEA directs that misconduct refers to a breakdown in the employment relationship and that an educator commits misconduct if he or she, amongst others, commits a common law or statutory offence (section 18 (1) (dd) of the EEA).
“This presents a number of issues. Our understanding is that statutory offences fall within the realm of criminal law. Would it be appropriate to use the civil law standard of proof to determine the guilt or otherwise of an employee who is alleged to have committed a statutory offence.”
Malindi further said Section 18 (1) (dd) of the EEA refers to the ‘commission’ of the act and does not refer to any other process. He added that meaning the employer must act against the employee so alleged without relying on another process e.g. criminal process.
“We further submit that the framing of the EEA and the PSA is aimed at regulating the relationship between the employer and the employee, not to police the conduct of employees outside working hours,” concluded Malindi.
