The National Association of School Governing Bodies blames Department of Education for alleged failure to ensure adequate safety measures in schools.
This after an alleged rape incident involving a pupil at Mabela Secondary School, QwaQwa, in the Free State.
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According to the association, the Department of Education has failed to properly enforce strict regulations already in place to protect pupils, instead allegedly prioritising the protection of teachers and other school staff accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships with pupils.
The association argues that this lack of decisive action and accountability undermines existing policies meant to safeguard pupils and allowing misconduct to persist and erode trust in the education system’s ability to ensure a safe learning environment.
This follows an incident at Mabela Secondary School, involving a 40-year-old school grounds worker who allegedly raped a 20-year-old matric pupil.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said preliminary investigations revealed the school grounds worker and the matric pupil had allegedly been involved in a romantic relationship for some time.
“According to our investigations, it has been established that the two were in a romantic relationship.
“The situation became complicated when the pupil’s boyfriend allegedly caught her red-handed with the gardener,” he said.
“She fled the scene and later went to report the matter at the Phuthaditjhaba Police Station, where a case of statutory rape has since been registered.”
Provincial Department Education spokesman Howard Ndaba said the department is aware of the alleged statutory rape incident at Mabela.
“We have noted the allegations of statutory rape at the school. We are aware the suspect has been arrested and released.
“We welcome the bail conditions, which include that he must not be near the victim. We will allow the law to take its course.
“The matter has been formally referred to Labour Relations for further handling in line with departmental policies and procedures. Further updates will be communicated as the case progresses,” said Ndaba.
National Association of School Governing Bodies General Secretary Matakanye Matakanye criticised the department and stated that it has failed dismally to implement strict regulations that ensure perpetrators face harsh consequences.
“We have held numerous meetings with top officials from the Department of Education, urging them to implement decisive legislation to stop the troubling behaviour of teachers and school staff engaging in inappropriate relationships or abuse pupils,” he said.
“In several instances, cases have been swept under the table, and some teachers have been shielded from accountability.”
“We have also blamed the South Africa Council of Educators for dragging its feet, allowing misconduct to continue while failing to take the necessary actions that could revoke the offending teachers’ qualifications.”
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The accused has appeared in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court Tuesday, 17 March.
The case has been postponed to Tuesday, 2 April.
