News24 reports that an investigative team has been appointed from outside the district of JS Skenjana Senior Secondary School in Dutywa, Eastern Cape to probe allegations of sexual abuse of female pupils.

This follows concerns that previous reports had not been adequately addressed, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube indicated on Tuesday. She pointed out that the reporting of sexual offences by schools was a legal requirement, “not a discretionary matter”. Allegations surfaced over the weekend through a viral video by a former pupil at the school who alleged that many girls had fallen pregnant by their male teachers. She claimed that some were forced to have abortions, while others were expelled owing to a policy prohibiting pupils from attending school while pregnant. One of the male teachers accused of sexual abuse died, allegedly by suicide, on Monday, provincial education department spokesperson Mali Mtima reported. However, according to Mtima, this would not deter a team that has been established to probe allegations of sexual abuse from continuing its work.

Mtima said the team visited the school on Monday and added that psychological services were being offered to pupils at the school. Meanwhile, the SA Youth Council in the Amathole District has demanded action against the implicated teachers at the school. “These allegations are not new,” the council said in a statement.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)

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