The department has promised to take action after allegations of long-standing sexual misconduct and claims learners have been discouraged from reporting abuse.“The department is appalled that such allegations could have persisted in silence for so long,” said MEC Julia Maboya.

The department condemned the allegations against the suspended principal, 50, and stressed no one is above the law.

The suspended principal of New Horizon College is expected to appear in the local Magistrate’s Court on Monday (24/11) on a charge of sexual assault after being denied bail.

His bail application was refused during his appearance in court on Tuesday (18/11) when he was remanded in custody. He is accused of sexually assaulting a learner.

“We want to send a strong message to our schools, whether private or public, that they should not be used as a haven for sexual predators,” said departmental spokesperson Howard Ndaba.

“Our schools should be centres of learning and teaching, not centres of fear where learners are being sexually abused and other illegal activities. We call on other victims who have experienced this kind of abuse to come forward.”

The department will be visiting the school on Tuesday (25/11) to have meetings with the board of governors, the school management, and the learners. It has also brought in other social partners like the department of social development and department of justice.

The matter has also been referred to the South African council of educators; “To make sure if these allegations turn out to be true, the principal should be struck off the roll,” said Ndaba.

The police said the girl, 15, was studying with classmates when the principal called her to the staff room. She was later directed to a disused office where the principal allegedly touched her inappropriately.

When she returned to her classmates, she told them what had happened. They encouraged her to alert her parents immediately. The family reported the matter to the police, which led to a formal investigation and the principal’s arrest.

Former learners have since come forward on social media to share similar experiences. Many commended the young girl for recording the principal during the alleged incident and for reporting the incident to her parents.

The school appointed an interim principal on Thursday (20/11) to “guide New Horizon College through this critical transitional period”.

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OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg