Petition, letters of support call for teacher in sex-grooming case

WHILE the family of a 14-yearold girl waited outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court for proceedings to begin yesterday, church members and relatives of a teacher accused of sexually grooming her formed a prayer circle for him.

The teacher, a well-known playwright and poet, allegedly sent nude photographs and “sexted” the girl over a ninemonth period.

The teen’s father became suspicious when he noticed a change in his daughter’s personality and confiscated her cellphone, where he allegedly found the messages and photographs.

This case has gripped the greater Durban community, more especially in social circles where the teacher is well respected for his work among the youth.

And it has also divided his community, with some supporting him, while others say they want justice to be served.

During his second appearance yesterday, the teacher looked straight ahead as the matter was read into the court record.

He was expected to make a formal bail application, but the investigating officer was reportedly unaware that he had to attend court yesterday. The officer was also expected to verify the teacher’s home address.

The teacher is being represented by advocate Christo van Schalkwyk, along with legal team members Vishal Junkeeparsad and HK Gunase.

The court heard that the investigating officer had not received the docket and was unaware he had to be present in court.

Last week, during the teacher’s first appearance, the State opposed bail because of the teacher’s personal circumstances. At the time, he had not provided an address to the court.

According to the State prosecutor, the investigating officer was expected to verify the teacher’s address that had recently been provided, but failed to do so.

The matter is expected back in court tomorrow when the teacher will make a formal bail application.

He faces a count of sexual grooming and displaying pornography.

With the community at odds over the controversial case, a voice note has been doing the rounds where a friend of the teacher has pleaded with his supporters to write letters to the magistrate asking for leniency.

A petition, in support of the teacher, was also started.

“Things have gone from bad to worse,” the voice note begins, explaining details of a possible sentence if the accused is convicted.

“The only thing that will help us win the case will be if we get as many people as pos- sible to say how (the teacher) has impacted on their life.

“We need to counter attack all the negative media and negative news,” the voice note continues.

Residents are then asked to put all their letters together so that they can be handed over in court.

Meanwhile, a group calling themselves Fathers For Absolute Justice (FFAJ) convened a meeting on Friday where they asked fathers in the community to unite in their call for justice to be served.

Aldon Taylor, one of the fathers from FFAJ, said the purpose of the group was to call on fathers of daughters to focus their attention on what was happening within the com- munity in relation to the incident at the school.

“Years ago, something like this would not have affected me, but I am a father now and I have a 4-year-old daughter. This struck a nerve and I cannot get over it,” Taylor stated.

He said he had a problem with the fact that people were appealing for leniency.

“I held this man in high esteem, but after these allegations emerged, I was gobsmacked. The people who are going around with the petition are calling on others to talk about the good this teacher has done.

“I want to start my own petition calling for the wheels of justice to turn fairly.

“We do not want extra years added to his sentence. We just want the NPA and the justice system to deal with him,” Taylor said.

Kwazi Mthethwa, spokesperson for the Department of Education, was present in court and spoke to the Daily

News after the teacher’s appearance.

He said the department had launched its own internal investigation.

“At this point, we do not want to say anything that may pre-empt the outcome of the investigation by police,” said Mthethwa.

He added that another parent had come forward with claims that her daughter was also sent messages by the same teacher.

“I have asked her to write out a formal statement and we will take it from there.

“With regards to the teacher being struck from the South African Council of Educators, it is a matter that we are looking into,” Mthethwa said.

At this stage, Mthethwa could not confirm how long the teacher had been employed at the school.

He added that the man had since been suspended.

Speaking to the Daily News, the teen’s father said their emotions were still raw.

The man, who cannot to be named to protect his daughter’s identity, said it hurt to see how his daughter had suffered.

“I find it shocking that some people still defend him.”