News24 reports that a female teacher at Harvester Primary School in Westridge, Mitchells Plain, faces allegations of misconduct after reportedly grooming and sexually harassing a Grade 7 pupil.
According to staff members, the school principal allegedly discovered explicit WhatsApp messages between the teacher and the pupil. The communication seemingly began on TikTok before moving to WhatsApp, where the teacher reportedly sent text messages and videos of herself to the child. Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the department’s labour relations directorate was alerted on Friday and immediately launched an investigation. “It has since been established that the teacher is not in our employ but is an employee of the SGB (school governing body). We will, therefore, advise the SGB of the process to follow going forward. The teacher was informed to report to the district office, not the school. A suspension letter will be issued based on the evidence presented in the investigation,” Hammond explained. The department also arranged counselling for the pupil. Images, videos and voice notes exchanged between the teacher and pupil will form part of the investigation. The SGB will determine disciplinary steps based on the probe’s outcome.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Velani Ludidi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
- Read too, Harvester Primary School teacher faces investigation over sexual harassment claims, at Cape Argus
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page