Six teachers from the prominent St John’s College in Mthatha have been suspended following serious allegations of sexual harassment, which sparked student protests and a halt to learning on Monday.
The allegations, which have sent shockwaves through the community, claim that several male educators impregnated minor learners and then coerced them into having abortions. The situation escalated as learners took to the streets, demanding immediate action and justice.
Protestors and community advocates detailed a climate of fear and intimidation surrounding the allegations. They claim that some parents and learners have received death threats, while others were allegedly offered bribes to remain silent about the incidents.
A community representative, speaking on behalf of the protesters, expressed outrage at the severity of the accusations, which reportedly involve learners as young as 12 to 15 years old.
“It is so dire that grade 8s and 9s are also affected. How old are they? 13, 12, 14, 15? That’s underage even to actually give consent. Meaning that these cases are very serious and need to be taken with the agency that they deserve,” the representative said.
The group is demanding the immediate and permanent removal of the accused educators from the profession. “We have called for the perpetrators to have their teaching licenses revoked,” another speaker stated. “We cannot be having them teaching in other schools. Meaning they are going to be perpetrators again and again. We want these perpetrators to cease to exist in the education faculty.”
Furthermore, they are calling for criminal charges, insisting that the alleged actions constitute a serious criminal offense. “We want the perpetrators to face the full might of the law… We thought by now they would have been locked up. We are really devastated. We want to see justice.”
In response to the crisis, the Provincial Education Department has confirmed the suspensions pending an internal investigation. Department spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima, condemned the alleged sexual harassment and assured parents and learners that due process would be followed.
Mtima stated that an internal investigation would begin soon. However, despite the serious nature of the claims, police have confirmed that no formal criminal case has been opened yet against the alleged perpetrators.
The community continues to demand swift arrests and a thorough investigation, stating that the suspended internal probe is not enough to address the criminal allegations at hand.
