MEC orders audit into masks quality

EDUCATION MEC Kwazi Mshengu has said his department and the Department of Health would conduct an audit of masks provided to schools to ensure they were not substandard quality.

Mshengu’s intervention comes after pictures of substandard masks, alleged to be from the department, circulated on social media.

The department has since denied that it provided these masks. However, some teachers complained the masks they received were of substandard quality, while others said they would buy their own and not wear the ones provided.

“We have since taken the position that all service providers will be paid once an audit on the quality of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essentials has been concluded, and that confirmation is received that all materials are according to specifications and standards as prescribed by the Department of Health,” said Mshengu.

“We would like to assure our stakeholders that there will be no compromise of their safety. Any allegation pertaining to the quality of PPE will be thoroughly investigated.”

Seeing the statement on social media sparked further outcry from teachers across the province. One teacher said the masks were an insult to them, and another said she threw hers in the bin.

DA education spokesperson Imran Keeka said the call for an audit on the quality of masks was worrying and it raised the question of what had happened to the processes to ensure quality in the first place.