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School classroom with tables and chairs.
Six St Johns’ College teachers in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape have been suspended pending internal investigation by the Provincial Education Department.
On Monday, teaching and learning came to a halt at the school, as learners took to the streets over allegations of sexual harassment against some teachers. The pupils allege that some of the male educators impregnated learners that are minors and force them to abort.
St John’s College, a school that has produced high profile leaders in the country, now finds itself embroiled in allegations of sexual harassment incidents by teachers.
Educators are accused of impregnating learners and forcing them to do abortions. Parents and learners are allegedly receiving death threats, while others are allegedly bribed to silence them.
“As COSAS we stand in solidarity with these learners that they must be suspended with immediate effect pending the investigation. So, now when the school management and the Department of Education are telling us that there still be an investigation next week, we feel like the Department of Education is failing us,” says COSAS NEC Member Zama Mvula.
“It is so dire that the grade 8, 10, 11 and 12 are also affected and that is underaged, even actually giving consent and that means that these cases are serious and need to be taken serious with urgency it deserves,” a learner says.
The learners have called for the alleged perpetrators to have their teaching licenses revoked.
“These educators also threatened the victims and the parents, they also tried to bribe them but unfortunately that did not happen because the victims came out and told us as COSAS that here we are and we are the victims and so we are tired,” another learner explains.
“Their licenses should be revoked because we cannot be having them teaching in any other school because, they are going to be perpetrators again and again. We want these educators to cease to exist in the education system, some of them should be arrested because what they are doing is a criminal offense,” a learner elaborates.
Parents want the alleged perpetrators to face the full might of the law
“We want to know when the perpetrator is going to be arrested, we thought by now he would be behind bars. We are really devastated about this sexual harassment. We want to see justice. There are many other cases that should be investigated,” says parent Vuyokazi Mbingeleli.
The Education Department has condemned the act of sexual harassment and assured parents and learners that due processes will be followed to deal with the matter.
Provincial Education Department Spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima says internal investigation will resume soon.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed that no case has been opened yet against the alleged perpetrators.
