By Levy Masiteng
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has placed an educator at Busisiwe Primary School in Zola, Soweto, on precautionary suspension following allegations that the teacher sexually assaulted a nine-year-old Grade four learner.
The department said it had arranged psychological support for the child and her family.
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Angry parents and community members gathered outside the school on Tuesday, disrupting teaching and demanding answers about the alleged incident and asking why the educator was reportedly still attending classes while the matter was being investigated.
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile visited the school on Wednesday, where he received a briefing from school management, the School Governing Body (SGB), the South African Police Service (SAPS) and community stakeholders about the allegations.
“The department confirms that the educator would remain on precautionary suspension pending the finalisation of disciplinary proceedings,” the department said.
“We understand the concerns and emotions surrounding these disturbing allegations. However, we appeal for calm and urge everyone to allow the necessary processes to unfold. We must ensure that justice is not compromised by interference or speculation,” Maile said.
He said the department had a zero-tolerance stance on sexual abuse.
The Sowetan reported that the child’s family friend said she started refusing to attend school around 8 October, before disclosing the alleged assault to relatives the following day.
The family alleged that the assault occurred on 8 October, when the learner reportedly asked to go to the toilet during class and the educator allegedly followed her.
According to The Sowetan, a family friend said the SGB said that it only became aware of the allegations on Monday, 19 October, after claims of the alleged assault were circulated via a video clip on social media.
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The video reportedly showed the learner recounting the alleged incident.
Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that a rape case was reported at Jabulani Police Station on 11 October and that the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit was investigating.
Maile said police were gathering statements and indicated that an arrest could follow once the necessary processes had been completed.
“One of the things we will be doing going forward is to verify when teachers are appointed to make sure that you verify their history,” Maile said during his visit.
He added that educators found guilty of sexual offences should be placed on the National Register for Sex Offenders to prevent them from being employed in positions that expose children to potential harm.
“It takes a village to raise a child, and it equally takes a village to protect a child,” Maile said.
