Teacher accused of sexual harassment

A TEACHER has been placed on preliminary precautionary suspension, after allegedly taking cellphone footage of a pupil’s private parts at a primary school in Windsorton.

It was reported that the girl was called to the teacher’s classroom at DL Jansen Primary School on Monday. He apparently instructed her friends to leave the classroom.

“The pupil sat down and the teacher sat facing her, where he proceeded to take cellphone photos or videos of her genitals. The pupil left immediately after the incident and reported the matter to her elder brother as well as the principal,” a source, who did not want to be identified, said yesterday.

The spokesperson for the Northern Cape Department of Education, Geoffrey van der Merwe, yesterday confirmed that an allegation of sexual harassment at DL Jansen Primary School had been reported to the Frances Baard district office.

“It is alleged that the incident happened after school during an intervention class. The implicated teacher has not been at the school since the alleged incident occurred,” said Van der Merwe.

“Our labour relation unit is busy with an investigation, and the implicated teacher will be placed on preliminary precautionary suspension until the investigation is completed. This will ensure that the pupil in question is protected from possible further emotional and physical distress and ensure that there is no tampering with witnesses and that the department’s name is not brought into disrepute.”

Further action

Van der Merwe added that once the investigation was completed, the employer would decide on any further action to be taken on the matter.

“We have informed our employee support services to provide counselling to the affected pupil and parents.

“We are aware that a case was opened at the local SAPS station in Windsorton. In the case at hand, we view the allegations of a serious nature and will therefore treat it with the urgency and attention it deserves.”

Police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock, said that the Hartswater Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit had opened an inquiry into the incident in Windsorton.

“No arrests have been made. The investigation continues,” said Kock.