SADTU condemns teachers who sexually abuse and groom learners

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has strongly condemned instances of teachers sexually abusing and grooming learners. This stance emerged after allegations surfaced regarding a teacher in Mkhambathini, a town in KwaZulu-Natal’s Midlands, engaging in sexual grooming. The disturbing allegations have rallied community members and civic organizations to demand accountability.

Michael Netshiungani, a teacher, addressed SABC News, asserting that educators found guilty of sexually abusing learners should be immediately dismissed. He emphasized that such actions not only tarnish the dignity of the teaching profession but also violate the fundamental rights of learners. According to Netshiungani, "Teachers who are sexually assaulting learners need to be fired because there is no way that they can be kept in the department because you may find that the principal knows everything, but children are children.

You can’t blame the child, but blame the teacher so that, in the end, they must also learn from their actions."