Sexual harassment allegations spark outrage in Tshwane schools

The Gauteng Department of Education is under fire after recent incidents of alleged sexual harassment and assault by teachers in Tshwane schools. 

The DA's Sergio Isa Dos Santos expressed concern over the department's failure to thoroughly vet teachers and staff, citing two disturbing cases at Bronkhorstspruit Primary School and Prinshof School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

At Bronkhorstspruit Primary, a 53-year-old deputy principal faces three counts of rape for allegedly assaulting an eight-year-old learner. 

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the accused allegedly raped an eight-year-old learner from the school from June 2024 until August 2025, on three occasions in the school premises during school hours. 

The accused appeared in court on Wednesday, and the matter was postponed to September 11 for a Schedule 6 bail application.

Mahanjana said the State intends to oppose the accused's release on bail.

The department said it will refer the matter to the Education Labour Relations Council for further investigation, fully supporting their processes and outcomes.

Meanwhile, at Prinshof School, activists from NotInMyName International protested outside the school over the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl learner.

The organisation's secretary general, Themba Masango, said a disturbing case of sexual assault only came to light after the victim's father noticed a sudden decline in her academic performance. 

The father’s concern led him to approach school authorities, and it was then that the traumatised child revealed the horrific abuse she had suffered at the hands of a teacher.

Masango said: “We hold the school management accountable for their apparent failure to protect this child and to create a safe environment where learners can thrive without fear.”

A criminal case has been opened with the SAPS in Pretoria and investigations are under way.

Dos Santos said the DA will submit questions to the MEC to determine what measures, if any, the department has taken to enhance teacher vetting procedures.

In a separate incident at Tiyelelani Secondary School in Soshanguve, learners protested this week, calling for accountability from school management over allegations of sexual harassment by a teacher.

Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said three teachers from Tiyelelani have been identified for alleged ill-treatment of learners, sexual assault, and ill-treatment of parents. 

“To manage tensions and ensure stability, these educators have been preliminarily transferred to the district office while the department conducts its enquiry,” he said.

Mabona said it is encouraging that preliminary examinations at the school continued without disruption amid the two-day protests by learners.

Gauteng Legislature MPL and EFF Gauteng deputy chairperson Phillip Makwala strongly condemned the incident at Tiyelelani, demanding the principal's removal due to alleged incompetence and failure to address the serious allegations.

“The principal is inconsistent, incapacitated, and cannot lead the school, and the school is at risk under her leadership, including the acting principal,” he said.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za