Mothers fear for their sons amid sexual assault allegations at Naturena school

Parents gathered outside Naturena Primary School No. 2 today to demand answers following allegations that fellow pupils had sexually assaulted learners.

A handful of concerned parents gathered at the school gate, some holding placards calling for accountability and urgent intervention to protect learners.

The Southern Courier spoke to two parents whose sons allegedly narrowly escaped sexual assault after being accosted by older learners.

One mother said she first learned of the incident on Saturday after her son’s transport driver visited her.

“The driver came to my house looking for my son because he wanted to speak to him. He told me he had seen my son’s friend with his mother, accompanied by the police, and wanted to find out how my son was doing.

“That was when my son started talking about what had happened, although he was initially reluctant to open up,” she said.

The mother said her son told her that older boys had allegedly accosted him and his friend in the school toilets.

According to her son, the older learners allegedly undressed the two boys and subjected one of them to sexual abuse. Her son and his friend reportedly escaped.

A second parent confirmed that her son was also allegedly involved in the incident but managed to flee.
She said her concerns extended beyond the sexual assault allegations, claiming that bullying was also a problem at the school.

“Learners’ lunchboxes are taken by older learners. This has been reported to the school, but nothing is being done. There’s also a WhatsApp group called ‘Naturena Learners’ where the learners discuss all these things,” she alleged.

The mother said she was particularly worried because her daughter was due to start Grade One at the school next year.

She fears for her daughter’s safety if parents do not take urgent action to address the concerns raised.

Department concerned

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile has expressed serious concern over the allegations.

According to information received from the SAPS, two learners have approached the police to report alleged incidents of sexual assault.

The Gauteng Department of Education said it was closely monitoring the matter and co-operating with the relevant authorities to ensure the necessary processes proceed without interference.

The department has requested a comprehensive report from the school to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations, including how the school responded and whether it followed the required procedures and protocols.

It is also facilitating psychosocial support and counselling for affected learners, their families, educators and school staff.

Maile expressed disappointment over the disruption of teaching and learning at the school, stressing that although peaceful protest is a constitutional right, it should not infringe on learners’ right to basic education.

“Sexual assault is an extremely serious matter that deserves the full attention, support and intervention of government. We must ensure that every affected learner receives the necessary protection and assistance, while allowing the relevant processes to unfold,” he said.

“However, we cannot accept the disruption of teaching and learning as a means of expressing dissatisfaction. The right to protest cannot be exercised at the expense of children’s constitutional right to education.”

The MEC said schools must remain safe environments and called on communities to work together to protect children against sexual abuse, violence and other forms of misconduct.

The school has committed to implementing a curriculum recovery plan to make up for lost learning time during the disruptions and provide affected learners with the academic support they need.

Maile said he would continue monitoring developments while the department co-ordinated government interventions to support those affected.

The department has appealed to parents and community members to respect the dignity and privacy of the minors involved while allowing the relevant investigations to proceed.

It reiterated its commitment to protecting learners, strengthening accountability in schools and ensuring that allegations of sexual misconduct receive the serious attention they warrant.