Central SA
Harrismith principal remains in custody, victims urged to report abuse─── ZENANDE MPAME 12:24 Thu, 27 Nov 2025
The case of the suspended principal of New Horizon College in Harrismith will continue in the local Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and Friday (4 -5/12).
The 50-year-old appeared in court on Tuesday (25/11), and it was postponed for further investigations. He is accused of sexually assaulting a learner.
A joint national and provincial team from the department of education visited the school and had meetings with the board of governors, the school management, and the learners.
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 accused appeared, and his case was postponed for continuous investigation in the matter,” said Free State police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring. “The 50-year-old’s bail application was refused and he was remanded in custody.”
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 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.”
According to police, the 15-year-old 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.
The DA has welcomed the investigation into the alleged sexual abuse at the school. The party also condemns in the strongest possible terms any form of abuse, particularly sexual abuse at schools, which should be a safe space and a place of learning for young, often vulnerable learners.
“According to a statement released by the department, former learners, alumni networks, community voices, and social media accounts suggest a pattern of ongoing sexual offences at the school,” said Free State DA education spokesperson Dulandi Leech.
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