Home News Education dept still probing sex allegations

Education dept still probing sex allegations

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The department has indicated that it is still in the process of finalising an investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct of a teacher at a school in Galeshewe.

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Education has indicated that it is still in the process of finalising an investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct of a teacher at a school in Galeshewe.

The department earlier this month said it had been made aware of allegations levelled against a teacher accused of having sexual relationships with pupils.

Department spokesperson Lehuma Ntuane said yesterday that some of the witnesses were Grade 12 pupils who are currently in the process of writing their final examinations.

“There are witnesses who still need to be interviewed and some are Grade 12 pupils. We need to afford the pupils the time to complete their examinations. We do not want to derail their focus. We understand that the matter needs to be concluded but we should handle it with the needed sensitivity,” said Ntuane.

The department said previously that the preliminary report on the matter would be available on November 8, 2019, after which, depending on the outcome of the report, due disciplinary processes will be followed.

Ntuane said the department needed to take all factors into consideration.

“We cannot finalise the matter merely because we want to meet the deadline. We need to look at all the factors and investigate the matter properly,” he said.

Relationships

The investigation relates to a teacher who is being accused of having multiple relationships with young girls at schools where he teaches.

It is further alleged that the teacher fathered a child with a pupil who matriculated in 2018 and that he is linked to a rape trial which is currently in court.

The DA in the Northern Cape has called on the department to act fast and mercilessly against teachers found guilty of sexual misconduct.

“The department should not take a month and a half to react to allegations of sexual crimes in schools. Rather immediate precautionary suspensions should be enforced until such time that the law can be allowed to take its course,” said the DA constituency head of Bo-Karoo, Fawzie Rhoda.

He added that those found guilty of sexual misconduct should be banned from working with or in close proximity of pupils and that their names should be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.

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