The Gauteng Provincial Government is utterly disgusted at the alleged activity at Jules High School. My colleague, Education MEC Barbara Creecy, has already conveyed to yourselves and the public the province’s stance in this regard.
At the very outset let me indicate that the primary concern of the provincial government is the need to protect the victim to avoid and prevent secondary victimisation. The trauma and violence to which the victim was and is subjected require that we treat her, members of her family and fellow learners with the necessary sensitivity.
In this regard we appeal to members of the media fraternity to desist from publishing photos of the victim, assist with efforts to discourage the circulation of the cellphone footage of the alleged act and cease to sensationalise the story in the reporting. Camping outside the victim’s family home is counter productive in this regard.
In this regard the provincial government, through the Department of Community Safety will continue providing all the necessary emotional, professional and other assistance required to help the victim and her family recover from the ordeal.
The public anxiety and expectation surrounding this case is completely understandable. It is about the ability of the Criminal Justice System to act in a way that is protective of the vulnerable. It is about how our communities also act to protect the minors.
Equally important is the need to ensure that justice is served. We are determined to see this case through and ensure that justice is dispensed. This is crucial to demonstrate to communities and the public that our Criminal Justice System is capable of punishing those who wrong society.
In this regard, reports about the discontinuation of the investigation of this case or the dropping of the charges are untrue. The South African Police Service, working together with the National Prosecution Authority, are continuing with investigations with a view to prepare a proper, watertight, prosecutable and winnable case.
It is important that whilst the public and the media understandably expect the case to be expedited, time is given for a proper investigation and examination of evidence to be undertaken. Myself and the Provincial Commissioner will receive weekly updates of both the investigation and prosecution of the case, and we will accordingly communicate with yourselves regularly.
Once more we would like to appeal to you to work together with us to ensure that we see this case through, whilst recognising the need for the victim, members of her family and fellow learners to recover. As MEC Creecy indicated in her statement, the Education Department is continuing with their own internal investigation regarding the alleged conduct of teachers and issues of school governance in general.
For more information contact:
Dumisani Ngema
Tel: 011 689 3664
Cell: 082 801 0424
