Sex-pest teachers axed

THREE GUILTY: ANOTHER FIVE CASES OF ABUSE UNDER INVESTIGATION Gauteng department of education says there will be zero tolerance of sexual transgressions.

The Gauteng department of education has fired three teachers found guilty of sexual misconduct and warned it has “zero tolerance” for such behaviour.

All in all 11 sexual misconduct cases were reported and probed at schools in the province.

The department said that so far six disciplinary cases had been concluded.

“Three teachers were dismissed, one was found not guilty, one is on two months suspension without salary, and one resigned.

“The remaining five cases are being investigated,” the department said yesterday.

All implicated teachers have been removed from schools, pending finalisation of their disciplinary proceedings.

“We strongly condemn any acts of sexual misconduct in schools and always encourage pupils to report such incidents to the relevant authorities at schools accordingly. Such cases are reported to the department and upon receipt we always act immediately.”

A coach at Parktown Boys High School resigned when allegations of sexual assault and rape were levelled against him.

He was arrested and the matter is before the courts. He is out on bail. Education legislation prohibits sexual relations between teachers and pupils, even if the pupil consents to sex.

Teachers, pupils and parents have a legal and ethical obligation to report such cases to the relevant authorities.

Gauteng Education MEC Pa- nyaza Lesufi said: “Sexual assaults will never be tolerated at our schools, and perpetrators are warned that they will always be dealt with harshly.” –