Urgent action demanded following sexual misconduct allegations at KwaZulu-Natal school

In the wake of alarming allegations of sexual misconduct involving teachers in a KwaZulu-Natal school, calls for immediate and rigorous action are echoing through teacher unions.

This follows reports alleging that two male teachers at Thubalethu Secondary School in the Pinetown District have been molesting female pupils. It was also alleged that the matter was reported to the school governing body by a community member, but no action was taken. 

South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) KZN provincial secretary Nomarashiya Caluza said they were unaware of the incident, but the union’s position is clear and known by everyone by now. “The union stands against such acts by teachers. 

“Teachers know how they are expected to conduct themselves and how they must relate to learners,” Caluza said. 

“The Employment of Educators Act, the SACE (South African Council for Educators) Code of Conduct, and Sadtu’s constitution are all clear as they state that no teacher shall have a sexual relationship or advances with learners.” 

National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) KZN chief executive officer, Thirona Moodley, said the allegations of sexual misconduct at the school must be dealt with quickly. If found guilty by the department, the harshest sanction should be imposed.

“Schools must be safe for the girl child; they should learn without fear, and it is our responsibility to create a safe environment. Educators are in loco parentis and should protect and definitely not cause harm to any learner,” Moodley said. 

“Communities and parents must also stop protecting sex pest teachers in exchange for financial gain.” 

National Teachers’ Union (Natu) president Sibusiso Malinga said it is a criminal offence to abuse a child sexually, adding that parents bring their children to school because they trust them.

Malinga said the teachers should also be reported to SACE, and if they are found guilty, SACE should revoke their permit to work with children because it means they are criminals. 

“Parents should help their children open cases with the police. But it should not happen that the teachers are being framed because such incidents occur.

“For instance, when teachers fight for positions, they use anything to defame the other person. That’s why I say the department must do everything in its power to investigate fully. Then we allow the law to play its part,” Malinga said. 

KZN Department of Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka expressed outrage and called for immediate action.

He said a team of investigators will be sent to the school to uncover the facts, reinforce accountability, and ensure that those responsible face both legal repercussions and internal departmental disciplinary measures.

“As a department, we will not sit idle while the integrity of our schools is compromised and the safety of our learners is threatened. Any educator who abuses their position of trust must know that we will act decisively to remove them from the system and ensure they are held criminally accountable. The recent ELRC (Education Labour Relations Council) report indicates a high number of sexual offences occurred in KwaZulu-Natal,” Hlomuka said.

“Schools are meant to be centres of learning, care, and growth - not spaces of fear. We are determined to maintain confidence in our education system and protect our children at all costs.”

The department reaffirmed its commitment to creating safe learning environments across all schools in the province. 

It called on pupils, parents, teachers, and community members to break the silence by reporting any suspected cases of abuse. Reports may be made through the department’s official channels or directly to law enforcement agencies, the South African Police Service.

The department added that it will not tolerate any violation of pupils’ rights, and any teacher who exploits their position of trust will be removed from the system and subjected to criminal prosecution without hesitation.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za