By Charmaine Ndlela
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) education authorities have ordered an urgent investigation into allegations that teachers at Thubalethu Secondary School in Pinetown molested female pupils, in a case that has triggered national concern over rising reports of sexual abuse in South Africa’s schools.
Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka said he is “outraged” at the reports and ordered immediate action.
“Any acts of abuse or misconduct by educators fundamentally undermine the trust, care, and responsibility that define the teaching profession,” he said.
The department condemned the alleged conduct as “abhorrent behaviour”, adding: “The protection, safety, and well-being of learners remain our highest priority.”
“Investigators will be deployed to the school to establish the facts, strengthen accountability and ensure those guilty, face the law and disciplinary processes. As the department, we will not sit idle while the integrity of our schools is compromised and the safety of our learners is threatened,” Hlomuka said.
He emphasised that schools should be “a centre of learning, care, and growth – not places of fear”.
The department urged pupils, parents, teachers and community members to report abuse through official channels or directly to police.
“The department will not tolerate any violation of learners’ rights. Any educator who exploits their position of trust will be removed from the system and subjected to criminal prosecution without hesitation,” it said.
The allegations come against a backdrop of mounting national concern.
The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) said it received 114 cases of sexual misconduct in schools in the past year, with 39 teachers found guilty. ELRC spokesperson Bernice Loxton urged the government to act firmly.
Other recent cases include the suspension of a principal and three teachers at Tiyelelani Secondary School in Soshanguve in September 2025, and allegations in the Northern Cape where pupils at Bothithong High School were allegedly given stipends by teachers in exchange for unprotected sex.
Equal Education and other groups also expressed outrage, saying the incidents reflect a wider pattern.
Sexual violence in schools has been described by UNICEF and advocacy groups as systemic. A seven-year-old girl’s alleged sexual abuse at Bergville College in the Eastern Cape earlier this year sparked nationwide protests.
Union voices echoed the call for accountability.
“We don’t support such behaviour. Let those allegations be investigated and the law should take its course. This act is an illegal, criminal act and unprofessional. We are a union representing teachers, we don’t condone such,” said South African Democratic Teachers Union spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi.
Data from the South African Council for Educators (SACE) showed 111 cases of sexual abuse referred in 2024/25, up from 82 the previous year. KwaZulu-Natal led with 25 cases, followed by Eastern Cape and Free State reporting 12 cases, respectively.
Childline CEO Dumisile Cele called for guilty teachers to be placed on the Child Protection Register.
“Teachers found guilty of such atrocities should have their names added to the Register within the Children’s Act,” said Cele.
Education officials have said measures are in place to tackle the scourge.
Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier’s office reported seven sexual assault cases in 2024/25, down from 15 the year before, with six teachers dismissed and one suspended without pay.
National crime statistics reflect the wider challenge. SAPS recorded 80 rapes at educational institutions between January and March 2025, with 54 victims being learners. Overall, 13,452 sexual offences were reported nationally during the period.
KZN education spokesperson Mlungisi Mtshali said the province treats such cases with urgency.
“That’s why we must not make a mistake in this issue. When we charge the perpetrator, we must have all the information at hand. We can only suspend educators for three months while we investigate the matter,” he said.
He added that the department has a dedicated unit, including external investigators and social workers, to handle complaints.
“We are ensuring the school environment is enabling, supportive and offers a safe space for learners, educators and school staff,” Mtshali said.
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