The Gauteng education department has suspended a teacher assistant accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old pupil at Ema Primary School in Winterveldt, Pretoria.
The suspension comes after Sunday World broke the story on Tuesday.
The teacher assistant was only recently suspended on a case that was registered in August after he allegedly called the Grade 7 learner a bitch that likes boys and went on to touch her breasts.
Two other pupils witnessed the incident, with one informing a teacher and the other reaching out to the parents after school.
Departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that the alleged perpetrator has been officially suspended.
“We must reiterate that the department has a zero-tolerance stance on allegations of sexual harassment,” said Mabona.
“The psychosocial unit was dispatched to the school to offer necessary support to all affected by this incident. The outcome of the investigation will be communicated in due course.
“We call upon everyone in our sector to refrain from all types of misconduct, as we expect them to lead by example to ensure that learners mirror their conduct in creating a safe environment conducive to effective learning and teaching.”
Biased disciplinary hearing
However, he did not respond to the question about the conduct of the principal, who, according to the pupil’s father, held a disciplinary hearing without informing the Tshwane West education district and the social worker that was meant to represent the pupil.
Instead, the child was reportedly represented by the school governing body despite perceived bias, considering that the accused’s mother is alleged to be a member of this body.
The father told Sunday World that he was content with the suspension because his daughter would properly focus on writing year-end examinations.
“We hope that he does not return to the school because other children should not succumb to his ways,” said the father.
Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the case was withdrawn.
“That is a sexual assault and crimen injuria case that was withdrawn by the prosecutor on October 17, 2025, as nolle prosequi [a formal notice of abandonment by a plaintiff or prosecutor of all or part of a suit or action],” said Nevhuhulwi.
