By Thapelo Molefe
The Western Cape has reported the highest number of teacher misconduct cases in the country, as the South African Council for Educators (SACE) warns of persistent trends of assaults and sexual offences committed by educators in schools.
According to SACE’s 2024/25 Annual Report, a total of 606 new complaints of unprofessional conduct were lodged against teachers during the year under review, with assault and corporal punishment of learners again ranking as the most common offences.
Of these cases, the Western Cape accounted for 211, the highest of all nine provinces. Gauteng followed with 136 cases, while KwaZulu-Natal (71) and Limpopo (47) also featured prominently. The Northern Cape recorded the fewest, with just nine cases.
SACE said the Western Cape also reported the highest number of finalised disciplinary cases as required under Section 26 of the SACE Act, which mandates provincial departments to submit their completed disciplinary inquiries for processing. However, the council noted that other provinces continue to lag, despite repeated engagements.
“Although attempts were made through stakeholder engagements to encourage other provincial education departments to submit their finalised disciplinary cases, not all provinces are complying,” the council said.
Of the 606 cases recorded, 283 involved assault, including 257 cases of corporal punishment against learners, which remains outlawed in South Africa. A further 127 cases related to sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, harassment, and inappropriate relationships with learners.
Quarterly data shows that assaults consistently remained the top form of misconduct in every quarter of the year. Sexual misconduct trended as the second-most common across all reporting periods.
SACE said the recurring pattern points to an urgent need for intensified professional development on discipline and behaviour management.
“These patterns underscore the urgent need for professional development in positive discipline, particularly among educators who continue to apply corporal punishment,” the report stated.
The report also highlights a gendered dimension to violations, with male teachers making up the majority of offenders across categories. SACE said this aligns with societal trends of gender-based violence and emphasised the need to prioritise cases involving violations against women and children.
During the financial year, SACE processed and concluded 612 cases, including matters rolled over from previous years. A total of 134 disciplinary hearings were conducted, resulting in 109 teachers being sanctioned.
The sanctions included 36 educators being struck off the teachers’ roll permanently for serious offences such as sexual misconduct, rape, impregnating learners, fraud and severe assault.
Another three educators were removed for a specified period of between five and 15 years, after which they may apply to return to the profession.
In addition, 70 educators received suspended removals coupled with fines, largely for cases involving corporal punishment and other minor offences. Those in this category were also directed to attend professional development programmes focused on positive discipline.
This marks a notable increase compared to the previous financial year, when 91 teachers were sanctioned.
The report shows that the Western Cape Department of Education submitted 174 cases, the highest number of employer-reported matters. Parents accounted for the second-largest source of complaints at 109, followed by educators or colleagues at 84.
The council said many complaints received do not fall within its direct disciplinary mandate and should be resolved at school or district level. This has prompted SACE to strengthen its initial screening process to ensure it is not burdened with matters that could have been handled by principals or school governing bodies.
SACE said it will intensify its ethical enforcement efforts while also strengthening proactive support for teachers.
The council emphasised that its disciplinary processes remain guided by the constitutional principle that accused educators are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
It also noted challenges such as postponed hearings, uncooperative witnesses, and difficulties securing testimony from traumatised learners.
Despite these obstacles, SACE said the latest statistics demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding learners.
“These outcomes reflect SACE’s commitment to ethical enforcement and its role in protecting the dignity and safety of learners and the broader school community,” the council said.
The council said it will continue to push for full compliance from all provincial education departments, especially those under-reporting completed disciplinary cases.
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