Three more teachers are accused of sexual assault

The Education Labour Relations Council is currently sitting for three cases of sexual assault allegedly perpetrated by Eastern cape teachers against pupils.

A fourth teacher, a 27-yearold from Amathole West, was found guilty of sexual assault of a 12-year-old pupil and dismissed last week.

The violation took place at the school in Dikeni (previously Alice) last year where the teacher fondled, touched the breast and buttocks of and attempted to touch the private parts of a pupil in a store room at the school premises.

Commissioner Mbulelo Safa imposed a dismissal sanction and ruled that the teacher’s name be entered in the national register of sexual offenders.

His name is known to the Dispatch but he cannot be named as he could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

Former subject adviser Louis Pepping was found guilty of raping a six-year-old girl by acting judge Mvuzo Notyesi in the Mthatha high court on Friday.

The attack, which gained the attention of President Cyril Ramaphosa, took place in Lusikisiki in 2019.

Education department and children’s rights activist Petros Majola has expressed concerned at the attacks.

Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima confirmed the ELRC had three cases from the third quarter statistics on its roll.

“The South African Schools Act of 1996 declares that educators act as in loco parentis, meaning they are regarded as parents who are looking after these children.

“We urge educators to play a meaningful role in the lives of all children and act to inspire growth as this investment will create responsible citizens.

“Failure to do so will mean this country will not have a future, as our youth are the future of this country.

“Additionally, those found guilty of such a horrendous act will face the wrath of the law, which may lead to dismissal and deregistration from the council,” Mtima said.

Majola said the Employment of Educators Act stated that an educator must be dismissed if found guilty.

He called on teachers to refrain from having sexual relationships with pupils.

“Some of the educators are very young. We embrace the young stock, but at the same time they should understand they are employed under the Employment of Educators Act.

“Whether it is consensual or not, please note that whether a child is 19, the fact is that a child is still a learner, and the act says the teacher must be dismissed.”