Soweto teacher under probe over alleged sexual remark to Grade 11 pupil

An investigation has been launched into allegations of sexual misconduct involving a teacher at Curtis Nkondo School of Specialisation in Soweto after a Grade 11 learner alleged that an educator made an inappropriate sexual remark to her during the second term of the academic year. Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile directed the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to urgently investigate the allegations, stating that they were treated with the seriousness they deserved due to concerns over the safety, dignity and wellbeing of learners, as well as the involvement of individuals in positions of trust and authority.

The school principal had forwarded a sexual harassment complaint involving an educator to the Johannesburg Central District Dispute Management Office on August 7, 2026, requesting urgent intervention. The complaint pertained to an alleged incident where the educator made an inappropriate sexual remark to a Grade 11 learner, resulting in her feeling offended and hurt.

A second learner, who was present during the interaction, provided a statement supporting the allegation. However, the accused educator denied making inappropriate remarks to the learner, offering his account of the event at the principal's office.

Maile stated that the department had received broader concerns from learners' formations and the school community regarding other educators potentially implicated in separate allegations involving learners at the school. At this stage, the department would not present claims about the number of educators implicated as fact. They were also concerned by allegations that such complaints may have been made dating back to 2022, which would be examined during the investigation.

The department must establish whether there were other learners who had reported similar allegations and what actions were taken regarding those cases.

Maile emphasized that schools must be safe spaces for learning and development, and that no educator or official has the right to misuse their position to sexually harass, exploit, intimidate, or violate a learner. He directed that the investigation must not be limited to the most recent incident and that the department would determine, based on the findings and applicable employment processes, whether precautionary measures were necessary against any implicated employees.

The department's priority is to protect learners and ensure the integrity of the investigation, without presuming guilt before the relevant processes are concluded.

The department acknowledged the fear that learners may face when reporting sexual harassment or other misconduct due to potential intimidation or retaliation. They assured that every learner who comes forward would be treated with dignity, sensitivity, and confidentiality, and that no learner should face victimization for reporting alleged misconduct or assisting in the investigation. Maile called on parents, learners, learner formations, educators, and anyone with relevant information to cooperate with the investigation.