Gauteng Education terminates partnership after allegations of sexual assault

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has terminated its partnership with Nali’Bali with immediate effect following an alleged sexual assault by one of Nali’Bali’s practitioners on a Grade Three learner at Braamfischerville Primary School on March 24.

Nali’Bali is a national reading-for-enjoyment campaign, which partnered with the GDE to propel SA children through storytelling and reading.

It is said that the child’s parent reported the matter to the school on March 25.

The principal advised them to open a criminal case.

The alleged perpetrator, not a GDE employee, was suspended by his organisation and arrested on March 28. He will appear for a bail hearing on April 14.

ALSO READ: Gauteng MEC calls for an end to taxi violence

This incident comes as the department continues to address sexual misconduct in schools, like the CweCwe case.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said, “This is an exceedingly disturbing incident.

“Our children must never experience such cruelty from adults who are supposed to care for them. We remain committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all learners.”

He added that they would continue to work with law enforcement and relevant partners to ensure such incidents are transparently and justly dealt with.

To date, records show that 42 cases of sexual misconduct were reported to the GDE, of which 19 have been finalised and resulted in 11 employees being found not guilty, two cases withdrawn because of insufficient evidence, and one resignation while another employee retired from public service.

ALSO READ: Operation Shanela cracks down on crime in Gauteng

There are 23 cases pending finalisation, with 15 at various stages of disciplinary hearings and eight still under investigation.

In all the cases, those implicated have been placed on precautionary suspension or transferred to district offices pending the outcomes of investigations.