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[FILE IMAGE]: Police were called in to calm the situation down.
The Gauteng education department has announced the temporary removal of the Tiyelelani Secondary School principal, in Soshanguve, Tshwane.
The move follows learners going on the rampage. They were protesting in response to allegations of a school teacher allegedly raping and impregnating a learner.
Student union, Cosas called for the immediate removal of the principal pending investigations.
Departmental Spokesperson Steve Mabona says they believe removal of the principal will play a significant role in stabilising the school environment.
“We view these allegations in a very serious light and we have since launched an investigation, just to understand what transpired here. Police as well, they’ve lodged their own investigation into the circumstances surrounding these allegations. While this process unfold, we have decided to precautionarily request the principal to report at the district office while we continue with this inquiry,” says Mabona.
Cosas Gauteng Secretary Basetsana Mashea says they want the department to deploy law enforcement officials to ensure safety at schools.
“Learners have very serious allegations, including the raping of a learner on the 19th of July which was reported by the parent, but was ignored by the principal. A teacher impregnated a Grade 9 learner, which attempts to cover up the matter allegedly. A principal who should swiftly act on this issue is telling parents, he doesn’t want to hear what happened. This are not just rumours, there are testimonies from learners who no longer feel safe in their own school and this is unacceptable,” says Mashea.
She has called for the removal of anyone involved in the “cover up”.
“Any principal or teacher who ignores or covers up such crimes is unfit to lead and must be removed with immediate effect and I believe that it’s the duty of the GDE to make sure the teacher is removed with immediate effect. So, our demand is the immediate suspension of the principal, pending investigations,” she says.
Gauteng police say a case of malicious damage to property has been opened after four state vehicles and one private vehicle were damaged during a protest by learners from the school.
