Three Gauteng schools have been rocked by sexual abuse allegations against teachers, exposing serious lapses in the vetting and monitoring of staff.

According to Pretoria Rekord, the incidents at Bronkhorstspruit Primary, Prinshof School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and Tiyelelani Secondary in Soshanguve have raised questions about the Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE) ability to safeguard learners and enforce accountability.

Bronkhorstspruit case under investigation

The GDE confirmed that the Bronkhorstspruit Primary case is under investigation, with the accused teacher already in custody and due back in court later this month.

At the school, a learner reported an alleged sexual assault involving a teacher.

“The matter is under investigation by the South African Police Service, and the alleged perpetrator was arrested and appeared in court on Wednesday. The case has been postponed to September 11.”

Tiyelelani Secondary allegations

While the department made no mention of the allegations at Prinshof, it revealed that three teachers from Tiyelelani Secondary had been preliminarily removed from the school and transferred to the district office.

They face accusations of sexual assault, learner mistreatment, and improper conduct.

The GDE said the decision was taken ‘to manage tensions and ensure stability’ while an internal enquiry proceeds.

“Three educators have been identified for alleged ill-treatment of learners, sexual assault, and ill-treatment of parents. To manage tensions and ensure stability, these educators have been preliminarily transferred to the district office while the department conducts its enquiry.”

Opposition slams GDE

The DA slammed MEC Matome Chiloane and the department for failing to properly vet teachers and staff, saying this negligence has left learners vulnerable to abuse.

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education Sergio Isa Dos Santos warned that without urgent reforms to screening processes and swift accountability, schools would remain unsafe and parental trust in the education system would continue to erode.

“What is more concerning is the claim that, in at least one of these cases, the school was informed of the incident as early as 2024, but took no action. This failure to act not only shows gaps in safeguarding learners but also undermines trust between parents, learners, and school leadership.”

Warning of systemic failures

Santos added that the DA has repeatedly raised concerns about the department’s inability to adequately vet teachers and other personnel working in schools against both the Child Protection Register and the National Register for Sex Offenders.

“Our concerns have clearly been ignored, and this has allowed potential offenders to slip through the cracks of a flawed vetting process.”

The GDE reiterated that ‘the safety and well-being of learners remain our highest priority’ and said it continues to work with stakeholders ‘to create a safe and supportive environment conducive to quality teaching and learning’.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.