Afrox says it has terminated its relationship with PCD college in Pretoria. Picture: Facebook, Afrox.
A German company that sponsors the electrical occupational skills training of Deaf students and those with different disabilities at PCD College in Pretoria says it has allegedly terminated its relationship with the College.
It is alleged that on or around 24 June, the organisation, Afrox Linde Group which also pays the stipends of the said students had appointed a firm to investigate allegations of unfair labour practise, racism, and discrimination that its apprentices had made against their college supervisor, Joshua Viviers.
It is understood the appointed firm held interviews with the Deaf students at the college. Apparently, students with different disabilities felt they were overlooked as they were not included in the interviews. On or around 3 July, Afrox allegedly held meetings with its apprentices at the college. Following the said meeting, approximately 20 students with different disabilities were said to have undergone therapy.
Afrox says students should continue their studies with minimal disruptions. Picture: Facebook, Afrox.
In a written response to the Diary Series of Deaf People’s media enquiry, Afrox Linde Group informed this publication via email at 18:59 on 1 August that it has terminated its relationship with PCD College.
Afrox’s spokesperson in South Africa, Nolundi Rawana said:
An hour after Afrox’s response, an elated source within the College sent a text to this publication at 19:08, alleging that “The Deaf students. Finally Afrox took them to a different trading centre, and they are happy.”
However, Afrox could not confirm whether the students have already been removed. Deaf students have been unavailable for comments.
In response to Afrox alleging that it has terminated its relationship with PCD College, Niel Cloete of Weavind & Weavind Inc, representing the college, alleged that information sent to this publication by Afrox Linde Group that they have terminated their relationship with PCD was not true.
Although, this publication has been made privy to the alleged investigations that were allegedly conducted on the College by a firm, that is said to have been appointed by Afrox on or around 24 June, Cloete said on behalf of the College, such “information concerning Afrox’s investigation and involvement is incorrect” and this publication is “clearly being misinformed.”
“The student group in question have finalised their training and their contracts with Afrox will soon come to an end. Afrox did not terminate their relationship with PCD College, and this is consequently denied by our client,” alleged Cloete.
He said, “since the students’ training have been completed,
the students need to conduct their trade tests, as confirmed in previous”
responses to this publication.
Cloete claimed the reportage by this journalist concerning
allegations that have been levelled against PCD have been one sided. This is
despite audios and written responses by his client that have been continuously
published as their right of reply.
“Our client opted to send the students to an independent
trade test centre evaluation, to ensure that a fair-trade test is being
conducted without the risk that any of the students may be victimised,” said
Cloete at the same time, claiming the step was due to the ongoing reportage on
this publication about his client. Cloete purported on behalf of PCD that the
reportage has been “one-sided.”
“Meetings were convened with the other students affiliated
with Afrox and they confirmed that they are satisfied with the training and
Afrox is still affiliated with our client,” alleged Cloete.
Leaked information within and outside the College, exposed that students with different disabilities including the Deaf, had informed Afrox that a larger part of their work is not in line with electrical practical skills. They alleged that the rest of their work is spent on picking up papers, planting trees and vegetables, washing cars and cleaning toilets at a plot owned by the owner of the College, Christo Buchling. This publication has since discovered that the same plot is owned by Buchling and it is his home. In the same compound, it is said to be a boarding for students residing at the college. Students with disabilities who alleged their learnerships were terminated by the College have also maintained such.
Afrox sponsor of students with disabilities. Picture: Facebook, Afrox
This is despite PCD College through Cloete, stating that the students assisted with the planting over a period of three days, and they [students] had the benefit and satisfaction of reaping the produce of the harvest.
In response to our enquiry about this allegation, Cloete, said, “Our client categorically denies this allegation, which is completely false. Mr Buchling has his own gardeners that tend to the grass. Moreover, the lawnmower automatically mulches the grass and foreign objects together, eliminating the need to pick any objects.”
Cloete said, “The planting of vegetables does not form part of the curriculum. However, as our client explained to the SAHRC [South African Human Rights Commission] during the site visit, the students’ training period was extended from three to four years and as such our client uses every opportunity to provide the students with additional exposure to widen their scope and help them to learn further skills and self-sufficiency. The students assisted with the planting over a period of three days and the students had the benefit and satisfaction of reaping the produce of the harvest. In the same vein, the electrical students attend a basic plumbing course, and the plumbers attend a basic electrical course to widen the scope. Some of the plumbers and electricians opt for a bit of welding as well.”
But the students with different disabilities are unwavering in their claims that they allegedly spent a larger part of their time on farmwork and hard labour than on their occupational electrical skills practical at a plot owned by Buchling.
The students said:
Cloete said on behalf of his client:
Although, none of the students had alleged to this publication that they had washed cars owned by college directors and their children, Cloete said the college said, “The students have never been requested to wash any of the directors’ or their children’s cars and this is categorically denied.”
Previously Buchling had alleged to this publication that students are not supposed to use a microwave to warm up their food. This was despite students with disabilities having informed this publication that they were initially allowed to use it. This was amongst the list of what the students had informed this publication in its first article dated 24 June that they required, as they alleged some are pregnant.
After Afrox’s meeting with the students on 3 July, it is understood that Afrox made a recommendation to PCD College to buy a microwave for the students. On 8 July, the students were provided with a microwave and a kettle allegedly by PCD College.
Cloete said his client’s response is that:
Before Afrox’s “termination of relationship,” when this publication put it to PCD College that the students were no longer at Buchling’s plot where they alleged they were subjected to unfair treatment by Viviers, but were permanently at the college, Cloete said on behalf of his client, “the students are currently in the workshop to prepare for the conclusion of their term as the term will be coming to an end in August.”
Asked what has been done concerning Viviers, Cloete said on behalf of the college, “The college took the allegations very seriously and Mr Viviers attended a disciplinary hearing with an external appointed chairperson. The employee had the opportunity to state his case and defend himself against the allegations made. After due process being followed, he was found to be not guilty.”
