SECUNDA – The teacher who is facing 18 charges of sexual assault, self sexual assault and compelled sexual assault on five learners under the age of 18 years, made his appearance in the Secunda Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 1 June for a formal bail application.
He was released on R20 000 bail.
He was granted bail on condition that he does not have any contact with persons under the age of 18 years, or any of the victims.
He is also not allowed to engage on any social media platforms.
He is due back in court on Tuesday, 6 July.
The Ridge Times has reached out to the school.
“I have no comment to deliver at this stage,” said the principal.
The Ridge Times has since obtained comment from Mr Jasper Zwane, media spokesperson for the Department of Education.
“The Department received a report from the school relating to this incident,” said Mr Zwane. He said that the teacher was employed by the School’s Governing Body.
“Upon receipt of the allegations, the School Governing Body opened a case with the local police. They thereafter called the teacher to a hearing,” said Mr Zwane.
He said the teacher received a letter on a hearing process.
“He immediately tendered his resignation. For now he is no longer reporting to the school,” said Zwane.
He said the school further solicited services from the police’s Child Protection Unit.
“The matter is now fully in the hands of the police,” said Mr Zwane
He concluded by saying that the department will write to the South African Council for Educators to further probe the conduct of this teacher.
The Ridge Times has been flooded with comments and questions on our social media platform as to why the teacher’s name and the name of the school have not been mentioned.
*Editor’s note: The law is clear that the identity of the victims should be protected at all cost, and thus the media is not allowed to publish any information that can lead to the identification of the victims. It is for this reason that the names of the school and the accused are being withheld.
