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DBE to meet NGO over alleged HIV tests on learners

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The Department of Basic Education will on Monday meet with (NGO) Khethimpilo which has been accused of conducting HIV tests on primary school learners in Port Elizabeth.

Despite allegations that this was done without the parents’ consent, Khethimpilo’s provincial district co-ordinator, Busisiwe Madikizela, has insisted that they did not contravene any Human Rights Act.

The screening was done inside a tent near the school and the learners were allegedly not provided with counselling.

Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga says they have a working relationship with the NGO and want to get to the bottom of what happened.

“We have trusted them for years. They have done this; but as I am saying the reports that are emerging from the Eastern Cape are concerning us and we will be trying to get to the bottom of it, so that we’re able to sort it out.”

“Parents are clearly unhappy about what happened there, but we hope that we’ll get all sides of the story so that we’re able to establish exactly what took place and we’re able to determine how we move forward,” explains Mhlanga.

 

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