The department said it would provide the affected girl and her family with the necessary psychosocial support.
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has expressed concern over an alleged attempted sexual assault involving pupils at Villa Liza Secondary School in Boksburg.
The Gauteng Department of Education said the alleged incident happened on Thursday, 20 August, during dismissal when a Grade 8 girl went to the school toilets.
According to a preliminary incident report received by the department, two male pupils allegedly followed the girl into the girls’ toilets, where they allegedly restrained her and attempted to remove some of her clothing.
Staff interrupted alleged incident
The alleged incident was interrupted when members of the school’s general staff approached the toilets while carrying out cleaning duties.
The two male students allegedly fled from the toilets after the staff members arrived.
The matter was then reported to a teacher while the girl’s parents were contacted. Police were also called to the school to assist.
The school subsequently began efforts to establish the identities of the pupils allegedly involved.
The department said the incident report indicated that steps were taken to open a criminal case at Dawn Park Police Station.
Maile described the allegations as “extremely serious and concerning”.
“Schools must be safe spaces where every learner, particularly girls, can pursue an education without fear of sexual violence, intimidation or harassment,” Maile said.
“Allegations of this nature strike at the very foundation of the safe and conducive learning environment we are working to establish across Gauteng schools.”
Police and disciplinary processes
The Gauteng Education Department said it would cooperate fully with the South African Police Service investigation.
It will also ensure that the matter is dealt with through the appropriate departmental and school disciplinary processes, without interfering with the criminal investigation.
The department said it would provide the affected girl and her family with the necessary psychosocial support.
Maile also warned against sharing the names, photographs or other information that could reveal the identities of the pupils involved, particularly the girl at the centre of the allegations.
“Sexual violence has no place in our schools. Learners must understand that conduct which violates the dignity and bodily integrity of another learner is not harmless behaviour,” Maile said.
“Where criminal conduct is alleged, law enforcement must be allowed to investigate, and where school disciplinary processes are warranted, they must follow.”
Call for collective action
Maile called on parents, educators and pupils to work together to address sexual harassment, gender-based violence, bullying and other forms of misconduct in schools.
“We must raise young people who understand consent, respect the dignity and boundaries of others, and know that violence against girls and women can never be normalised,” he said.
“Our schools must be places of learning, safety and mutual respect.”
The department said it would continue monitoring developments at Villa Liza Secondary School and provide support while the relevant criminal and disciplinary processes unfold.
