The North West University has confirmed that it is investigating its student teacher who is alleged to have called a Grade 9 PJ Simelane Primary learner
THE NORTH West University (NWU) has confirmed that it is investigating its student teacher who is alleged to have called a Grade 9 PJ Simelane Primary learner sis bhuti (sissy boy).
Tiro Moalusi subsequently committed suicide by ingesting rat poison following the homophobic slur allegedly at the hands of the student teacher from North West University who was there for her teaching practicals.
“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of the learner. The incident has been brought to our attention and we have also communicated to both the Minister of Basic Education (Angie Motshekga) and the Minister of Higher Education (Blade Nzimande) that we have launched our own investigation into the matter,” said NWU spokesperson Bertie Jacobs.
Jacobs said the investigation is still ongoing and the university is yet to share the details.
Moalusi’s death sent shock waves across the country’s education system, resulting in a series of investigations by various institutions.
The Gauteng Department of Education, through the involvement of the SA Council for Educators (SACE), was the first to investigate the matter, which was followed by yet another investigation by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and another investigation by the university.
SACE is said to be investigating the matter after the education department confirmed that it had withdrawn the student teacher from her duties. The department said SACE had appointed an investigating officer to probe the conduct of the student teacher.
“Accordingly, the SACE investigator has already interacted with our district officials to assist with the investigation, and as such, there are currently no new developments on the probe by the department,” Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said.
The 15-year-old learner died on Tuesday, August 16 and was subsequently laid to rest at Slovoville Cemetery on August 25.
He had apparently tried to get other teachers to help him resolve the homophobic comments allegedly made by the student teacher but no one came to his assistance.
