The education department in the Eastern Cape has suspended two teachers from Bonkolo High School in Amatole East education district.
This after a preliminary investigation, prompted by information received from a whistleblower, linked the teachers to a case of sexual misconduct.
In a statement on Thursday, the department said initial reports indicate that the two male educators targeted up to 12 girl learners between the ages of 17 and 18.
According to the Employment of Educators Act, there are six types of serious misconduct acts specific to teachers, and five of those include sexual assault, sex with a learner, serious assault, drug possessions, and getting a learner involved in any of these offences.
These misconducts carry a lifetime ban from employment.
As a result the two officials, an educator and a principal, have now been placed on precautionary suspension. The suspension is to enable the alleged victims and witnesses to express themselves without fear of intimidation.
Education MEC Fundile Gade labelled the acts as gender-based violence targeting vulnerable learners.
“We are horrified by this matter. Imagine two teachers investigated for sexual misconduct involving 12 learners in one school. It is clear that there are serious challenges at the school that we need to attend to as a department,” Gade said.
“We will deploy our counsellors to assist in the meantime while the disciplinary processes continue. It is unacceptable. This kind of conduct must be rejected and condemned by everybody. It is gender-based violence targeting vulnerable learners.”
Gade called for the community to support for learners, especially during the mid-year examinations which are under way.
“This period needs a renewed commitment towards the safety of our children. We have to do everything possible to restore the faith and trust of the victims in the system, both as parents and government.
“We promise to ensure that the law is applied, and that the culprits face the wrath of the law”, said Gade.
The Mbashe Teenage Pregnancy Project has also been redirected to the school to ensure more education takes place and to offer support to all learners.
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