The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has completed its investigation into allegations of racism at Volk Höerskool in Heidelberg. The GDE has taken a decision to charge the acting principal for failing to protect learners on reported incidents of racism.
The MEC will also meet within the next seven days with the School Governing Body (SGB) and the new principal to instruct them to charge learners who have allegations of racism levelled against them. She will also talk to them about putting together and implementing a plan to manage diversity and bring about racial harmony at the school.
In a separate matter, the Head of Department has taken a decision to suspend the deputy principal of Rooseveldt High School. He was over the weekend arrested on serious allegations of sexual assault against a girl learner at another school where he was residing. On Friday last week, five learners at his school had already levelled allegations of sexual harassment against him at Parkview police station and a case is being investigated. The girl learners are receiving trauma counselling.
Because of the seriousness of the allegations against him, we cannot have him return to school if he applies and is granted bail because as he poses a threat to learners. We are pursuing disciplinary charges against him.
The department views these two matters in a very serious light. We will not tolerate the sexual abuse of learners. Neither will we tolerate acts of discrimination or victimisation, of anyone in our schools on the basis of race.
For more information contact:
Charles Phahlane
Tel: 011 355 1530
Cell:071 860 4496
Source: Sapa
