Gauteng education MEC addresses community after teacher arrested for alleged primary school sexual assault

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile says a teacher accused of sexual assault will be placed on precautionary suspension while labour processes take place.

Maile confirmed this while addressing the media at a local primary school on October 21, following allegations of sexual assault involving a teacher and a learner.

He said the learner and her mother are receiving counselling while forensic investigators take statements.

Maile stated that once the relevant processes are completed, police will be able to effect an arrest, as they were waiting for the complainant to provide a statement.

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“We have asked that the learner be given special attention to help her recover academically, as well as special support here at school privately, rather than being part of the whole class,” he said.

Maile added that Department of Education officials are assessing the situation, including the provision of psychosocial support to the learner and measures to protect other learners.

He said officials want the law to take its course and justice to be served.

Maile promised that background checks will be conducted during future appointment processes to ensure teachers have no history of sexual offences.

He added that those found guilty of sexual offences should be placed on the National Register for Sex Offenders to prevent them from being employed as teachers.

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The spokesperson for the Tshegofatso Pule Foundation, Botlhale Modisane, said the mother had been failed because, when following up on the case, she was told the officer handling it was unable to attend to the matter.

Modisane questioned who receives agency in such situations, especially when a child’s life is at stake.

“This is now being taken seriously because the case has reached the media. We need answers from the school about why the teacher was not dealt with immediately and what steps are being taken to ensure that nothing like this happens again,” she said.

After briefing the media, the MEC addressed the community to respond to their concerns.

However, community members were unhappy with the response, saying they were dissatisfied with how the school and authorities handled the matter.

A community member expressed frustration with how the case was handled, saying residents want the accused teacher arrested and given a court date.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the suspect handed himself over to police on October 21.

“He will be charged with rape and is expected to appear before Protea Magistrate’s Court on October 22,” said Nevhuhulwi.