SIBASA – The departure of tutors at Delta Computer and Information Technology Training College caused havoc in Thohoyandou last Friday.

Delta Computer and IT College started on September 31, 2002 at Sibasa as an Information Technology project. This project received a bursary of R35 000 per student from SETA and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund.

About twenty-five children from disadvantaged backgrounds registered for several courses at the centre after its opening.

Parents received a letter from the Centre Manager, Mr Bongani Cibi, informing them that students had to pay R2 000 for registration, which students refused to pay.The lessons stopped when the tutor departed and that aggravated the situation.

Students then allegedly went on the rampage, demanding that the centre manager must employ another tutor for the lessons to continue. The project manager, Mr Tebogo Mukoena, was phoned and he said that the students should send a letter of complaint.

Mirror found the Centre Manager, Mr Bongani Cibi, who said he never told students to pay R2 000. He also said that the tutor departed because he had finished his job as a Networking tutor, and that the college is waiting for the Programming tutor from the head office in Johannesburg.

"The lecturer will come at the beginning of August," said Bongani. Mirror investigated and found a letter dated October 21, 2002, written by the Centre manager, Mr Bongani, demanding a registration fee of R2 000 from the students, although the course was supposed to be for free.

He also wrote that the fees should be settled on October 25, 2002 and at the latest, should be paid on November 04, 2002.

Mr Bongani has disappeared and does not want to talk to journalists. The stranded students said they want to complete the course and receive their certificates.