PNGTA faces contempt case

SIX teachers have filed contempt of court proceedings against the Papua New Guinea Teachers Association (PNGTA) for holding elections despite a restraining order.
 Western Highlands PNGTA branch president Aita Sanangkepe said a notice dated Jan 18 was served to the PNGTA National General president on the contempt proceedings.
  Justice Ambeng Kandakasi had on Oct 5 issued a restraining order on PNGTA, its servants and agents from continuing or further conducting the PNGTA election or declaring the results.
“While the review on the termination of the six teachers involved in the nationwide strike in 2006 is pending, the PNGTA went ahead and conducted the election.
“The teachers sacked are Gerehu secondary principal and PNGTA vice-president Martin Kenehe, Waigani primary principal and national PNGTA women’s representative of the Southern region Joan Kalama, NCDC PNGTA branch president Andrew Nuabo, NCDC PNGTA executive Benjamin Yalo and teachers in-service college lecturer and male teachers representative of Southern region Synell Ko’ou.
“I was demoted from salary point 2.7 to 2.6 by the Teachers Service Commission for being involved in the strike,” Mr Sanangkepe said.
Mr Sanangkepe said that while seeking a review in the National Court over the sackings, the PNGTA stopped their membership.
“During the PNGTA national election, the sacked teachers realised that their names were not on the ballot papers to defend their seats, except for myself.
“Our lawyer has already put the PNGTA, National General president on notice on the filing of contempt of court proceedings, and other officers or individual who defied the court order.
“If there is any evidence to show that the Electoral Commission is also involved, will also sue for contempt of court,” he said.