Overview
- The Pretoria High Court dismissed the School Governing Body’s interim application to compel release of a Gauteng Education investigation report.
- The judge found the report does not qualify for disclosure under Rule 53, which covers records showing decision-making in judicial reviews.
- The ruling clarified that the Promotion of Access to Information Act is the proper mechanism to request the document from the department.
- The court criticised the SGB’s approach as forum shopping, describing the legal route taken as inappropriate for obtaining the records.
- The Gauteng Department of Education welcomed the decision and urged a renewed focus on school governance, learner welfare, and transformation.