Durban - The SA African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has argued in court papers that the legal action by a group of its provincial members against the union was “premature” as its grievance was currently being investigated internally.
Six teachers are embroiled in a legal dispute with Sadtu over a “secret meeting” where executive members were elected to its Durban South region branch.
Opposing the application, Sadtu’s national general secretary, Mugwena Maluleke, felt it would be “unwise” to respond or comment on the allegations which are before its provincial executive committee.
Sibongiseni Xulu, Hoogantharani Naidoo, Nhlanhla Shabalala, Muhsadiq Khan, Lindiwe Mazibuko and Sthembile Twala (who were all executive members of the Durban South branch) lodged a high court application against the national union, the provincial and Durban South branches as well as the eight newly elected members.
The six teachers are asking the court to declare the election of the new members null and void and for the union to be directed to hold fresh elections.
In court papers, Xulu, the now former regional secretary of Sadtu Durban South region, said his branch had been scheduled to hold its regional triennial general meeting at Coastlands Hotel last month.
However, the meeting could not start because delegates disrupted it.
He later learnt a meeting was held at Sadtu House in Durban where new regional representatives were elected in the presence of two national executive committee members.
The matter was before the Durban High Court last week and was adjourned indefinitely.
Daily News