Teacher at centre of sex scandal

INVESTIGATIONS: PRINCIPAL ALSO SUSPENDED AFTER REPORTS FROM MANY PUPILS

‘Many wish to come forward but are afraid because of the fear of victimisation.’

Ateacher implicated in a case of sexual misconduct at Mowat Park High School in KwaZulu-Natal was suspended this week, according to the school’s governing body (SGB).

The teacher, who cannot be named as yet as the matter is still under investigation, is alleged to have been in contravention of the law for several years.

Chairman of the SGB Sfiso Khumalo said the matter was treated with the utmost urgency and that the allegations were so serious, they decided to suspend the school’s principal as well.

“We had a meeting with the staff and pupils at the school,” said Khumalo. “We are currently investigating.

“Once our investigations are complete, we will conduct a disciplinary hearing.

“Because of the seriousness of this issue, we’ve decided to suspend the teacher and the principal with immediate effect.”

Allegations levelled against the teacher include passing comments about pupils’ bodies in class and looking under their skirts.

He also allegedly made advances to them on social media.

A former pupil at the school who matriculated in 2017 said allegations against the teacher were nothing new.

“I was aware of this issue back then when I was at the school,” she said. “More recently, the teacher was exposed on a Mowat Park group chat on WhatsApp.

“Many pupils wish to come forward but are afraid to do so because of the fear of victimisation and the fact that because nothing gets done to this teacher in terms of discipline.

“He seems untouchable.” Another pupil who is in matric said the principal had been sweeping reports about the teacher under the carpet.

“We have always wanted to speak out but we were scared because nothing was done when we came forward,” she said.

Khumalo said the next step for them was to read and properly analyse the statements from pupils. He could not disclose how many he had as he had just received them.

“These statements have to be considered individually to determine whether or not they implicate the teacher concerned,” he said. – Caxton News Service