WCED severs ties with Equal Education after sex scandals
THE Western Cape Education Department has cut ties with education advocacy group Equal Education (EE) amid sexual harassment claims within the organisation. MEC Debbie Schäfer said she was deeply concerned about allegations of sexual misconduct at EE.
“Equal Education works in schools across the province and, while at least some of the allegations appear to be from people within the staff of the organisation, it is not clear whether any learners are involved. In addition, if the allegations are correct, this is hardly the type of person we need working in our schools,” Schäfer said.
The MEC said she had requested that EE furnish her with the details regarding every interview or engagement conducted by its former general secretary Tshepo Motsepe, or Dorian Isaacs, so far this year, with any female learner in the Western Cape.
“I have also demanded an undertaking that they will cease operations in Western Cape schools until such time as we have had an opportunity to meet with them and discuss the way forward.
“Should we not receive such undertaking, we shall instruct our schools not to allow anybody from EE, and who is not a learner at the school, on to school premises,” Schäfer said.
On Monday last week, EE confirmed that Motsepe had resigned in April after several women came forward with allegations that he had sexually harassed them – a claim Motsepe has vehemently denied.
On Friday the Cape Argus reported that another senior management staff member was being investigated after he allegedly offered a job to a volunteer in exchange for sex.
At the weekend it confirmed that the organisation’s co-founder, Isaacs, was accused of sexual harassment, and wellknown activist Zackie Achmat had been fingered for allegedly covering the former’s tracks.
“Like the MEC, Equal Education takes sexual harassment seriously. We have acted swiftly and decisively to address every allegation of misconduct that has been put before us. EE has clear staff and volunteer policies and procedures that prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace,” said Noncedo Madubedube. head of EE in the Western Cape.
Madubedube said EE’s policies prohibit relationships between staff or volunteers and pupils, and clearly state that this offence leads to immediate dismissal.
EE HAS CLEAR STAFF AND VOLUNTEER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT PROHIBIT SEXUAL HARASSMENT