The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) in the Limpopo Province has issued an ultimatum to the provincial government regarding several issues.

The union says it will engage in a prolonged mass programme, involving protest marches, picketing and other actions, if its demands were ignored.

Sadtu has condemned the government's handling of teacher welfare cases, “its unreliable and unpredictable salary payment system, the dismissal of teachers without consultation, and the summary closure of adult education centres”.

The union is also appalled by the continuing employment of so-called corrupt and inefficient education officials at regional level, the alleged mismanagement of the teacher redeployment process, the so-called chronic under-staffing of the Examination Directorate, and the alleged unprofessional conducting of internal examinations.

A memorandum, headed "Complaints with regard to the lack of progress on issues of mutual interest" was delivered to the Department of Education on February 20.

"We have made many submissions and held many meetings with the department, but the outcomes have never been implemented", said Sadtu provincial secretary Morebudi Thamaga.

The union's provincial executive has given the department 14 days to respond to some of the demands, and one month for several others. Failing this, Sadtu will embark on its protest campaign, which could affect scores of schools negatively.