The Mpumalanga Department of Education (DoE) has placed the principal of a secondary school in Acornhoek, in the Bohlabela District, on precautionary suspension following allegations of sexual harassment.

Mpumalanga News reports that in a statement dated June 26, the DoE’s spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, said this action has been taken to enable an investigation into the matter and to safeguard the best interests of learners.

“The department treats all allegations of sexual misconduct with the utmost seriousness, and acts in strict accordance with the Employment of Educators Act No 76 of 1998.

“In particular, Section 17 provides for the mandatory dismissal of any educator found guilty of serious misconduct, including: committing an act of sexual assault against a learner; engaging in a sexual relationship with a learner and encouraging or coercing a learner to participate in sexual acts,” he said.

Sambo added that Section 18 of the Act outlines other forms of misconduct that may warrant disciplinary action, including sexual harassment. He said such cases are handled through formal disciplinary processes to ensure fairness, accountability and legal compliance.

“The department will also refer this matter to the South African Council for Educators, which holds the authority to deregister educators found guilty of sexual misconduct, thereby prohibiting their re-employment in any educational institution within the country.”

Sambo said educators are entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding learners and are regarded as in loco parentis while learners are in their care.

“Any violation of this trust, especially through inappropriate relationships or misconduct, is not only unethical, but also a serious breach of professional and legal obligations. The department is therefore deeply disturbed by allegations of this nature and wishes to assure the public that it will take decisive disciplinary action against any educator found to have acted inappropriately,” explained Sambo.

He said the DoE remains committed to fostering a safe, supportive and enabling learning environment for all learners. He called on parents, learners and members of the school community to continue to report any suspected incidents of sexual misconduct by educators – or any other person – to law enforcement institutions, including the SAPS and the DoE.

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