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Press statement: Reinstate Solly Tshitangano, whistle-blower on corruption in the textbooks tender in Limpopo!
Solly Tshitangano is a man who should be celebrated as a hero for his role in exposing irregularities in the textbook tender in Limpopo. For over two years he has been at the forefront of efforts to expose irregularities in the contract awarded to EduSolutions in 2010.
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SECTION27 calls for National Intervention in GDoH and needs-based budgeting to ensure access to health care services for all
SECTION27 has noted reports in today’s Times newspaper relating to the shortages in staff at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital (CMH) and reports of the shocking impact this is having on services in the hospital. The reports depict the pain, suffering and risks that are plaguing our hospitals and clinics. They reflect the anguish of doctors and…
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PRESS STATEMENT: Seven questions the Portfolio Committee on Education should ask about the Limpopo catch-up plan
The National Portfolio Committee on Education is meeting this morning to discuss the catch-up plan developed by the National Department of Basic Education. The Portfolio Committee allegedly rejected the plan last week on the basis that it was inadequate and did not sufficiently address the prejudice suffered by learners due to the lack of textbooks…
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Press Release: Public health, human rights and justice at the heart of case before the Constitutional Court
A case coming before the Constitutional Court holds serious consequences for public health and the fight against TB in South Africa. South Africa has one of the highest incidence rates of TB in the world. TB is the leading cause of death in South Africa and has been for many years. HIV co-infection and the…
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DBE obliged to declare post establishment
On Friday 3 August, the Eastern Cape High Court in Grahamstown ruled that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is obliged to declare post establishments for both teaching and non-teaching staff for 2013 for public schools in the Eastern Cape.
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TAC/Section27/CALS meeting with new Health MEC in Gauteng.
On the 27th July 2012, TAC/Section27/CALS met with Gauteng Health MEC Mr Hope Papo, HOD Dr Nomonde Xundu and heads of departments. On the agenda for discussion was a formal response to TAC’s memorandum that was delivered at the Provincial Department of Health (PDOH) on the 12th June 2012.
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TAC intervention leads to important legal advance: public interest concerns are relevant in determining interim interdict in patent cases
On 26 July 2012, the Supreme Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in the matter between the Aventis group of pharmaceutical companies and Cipla’s group of generic pharmaceutical companies. This is the first judgment to decisively say that public interest considerations must be taken into account when balancing the interests of the patentee and…
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SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: SECTION27 Statement in response to various misleading comments on the Textbook crisis in Limpopo
SECTION27 has noted various unfortunate statements on the text book crisis in Limpopo as well as attack on the legal action of SECTION27 and comments by COSATU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi. Below we set out the facts about how this crisis has unfolded in the last seven months. We believe there has been a collective…
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SECTION27 complaint against State of Qatar to United Nations Special Rapporteur for Health
SECTION27 has sent a request to the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Health, reqesting him to investigate alleged violations of the right to health against the State of Qatar. In October 2010, “MR” was employed by Al Jazeera English as a Senior Editor and moved to Qatar. Following severe discrimination and cruel, inhuman and degrading…
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Joint statement issued by the Department of Basic Education and SECTION27 on the release of the Limpopo textbook delivery verification report
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and SECTION27 published the report compiled by Professor Mary Metcalfe and her team following their investigation to verify the state of the delivery of textbooks to schools serving Grade 1-3 and Grade 10 learners in Limpopo Province. We have accepted the findings and recommendations of Professor Metcalfe, which we…
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SECTION27 Statement on Report by Professor Mary Metcalfe Verifying the Delivery of Textbooks to Limpopo Schools in terms of the Order of the North Gauteng High Court
SECTION27 and the Department of Basic Education released the ‘verification report’ into the delivery of textbooks to learners in grades 1-3 and grade 10 in Limpopo Schools.We thank Professor Metcalfe and her team. Not only have they done a great amount of work in the last two weeks, but they have made a personal sacrifice…
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SECTION27 MEDIA BRIEFING: RELEASE OF LIMPOPO TEXTBOOK REPORT
SECTION27 together with the Department of Basic Education will release the report on the verification of textbook delivery in Limpopo conducted by Professor Mary Metcalfe and her verification team at 12h45 today, Monday 16th July, at SECTION27’s offices: 6th Floor, Braamfontein Centre, 23 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein.
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SECTION27 STATEMENT ON LIMPOPO TEXTBOOK CRISIS & STATE OF DELIVERY BY DEADLINE OF 27 JUNE
SECTION27 and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) held a press conference today, 28 June 2012, regarding the delivery of textbooks to Limpopo learners and compliance with the court order and settlement agreement coming out of SECTION27’s litigation against the DBE and the Limpopo Department of Education. SECTION27 is calling for an independent verification of…
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DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION AND SECTION27 JOINT STATEMENT ON LIMPOPO TEXTBOOK CRISIS
On 21 June 2012, representatives of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and SECTION27 met to try to resolve the ongoing challenge of availability of textbooks to learners in Limpopo and compliance with the court order of Judge Kollapen, which was delivered on 17 May 2012. The parties reached a settlement agreement, a summary of…
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SECTION27 CONCERNED ABOUT PROGRESS IN DELIVERY OF TEXTBOOKS
It is now hours away from the agreed-upon deadline for the delivery of textbooks to schools throughout Limpopo. SECTION27 is concerned that the Department of Basic Education will not meet its deadline, but we do not have sufficient information or means of verification to say whether it will complete the delivery of textbooks today.