TZANEEN, LIMPOPO – Outrage is growing in a village near Tzaneen, Limpopo, following allegations that a 53-year-old teacher impregnated a Grade 11 pupil and engaged in sexual relationships with at least four other pupils at the same school.
The accusations have ignited fears among parents and villagers, who say they no longer feel their children are safe. Resident Joseph Chabalala (50) expressed his deep concern, stating, "Our children aren't safe as long as he is at the school. He'll continue sleeping with our children and end up ruining their futures. We believe he’s taking advantage of our kids."
The community is calling on Limpopo Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya to intervene and remove the teacher from his position. Some villagers have threatened drastic action if their demands are not met. "We know pupils don’t need to miss lessons, but we will be forced to close down the school until the department takes action and the teacher is gone. We can't allow a sex pest roaming around our children," said another villager (46).
Elizabeth Shingange, founder of the Elizabeth Home Foundation, echoed these concerns, emphasising the paramount importance of pupil safety and well-being. "We'r calling for an intensive investigation into this matter and we don't want him teaching our children. If the department fails, they should let me do the investigation, and I’ll crack it. The teacher must account for his evil deeds because our children aren't safe in his presence," she said.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo has also weighed in on the matter, calling for the South African Council for Educators (SACE) to conduct a thorough investigation and withdraw the teacher's licence to ensure he never teaches again. EFF provincial spokesman Jacob Lebogo said, "The teacher must also be registered as a sex offender. He has committed the most immoral thing a parent can do to their children. Therefore, he is unethical and not fit to stand in front of our children."
The EFF's call for the teacher to be registered as a sex offender highlights the severity of the allegations and the community's determination to protect their children. The party's involvement underscores the widespread concern and the potential for the issue to escalate politically.
The allegations have prompted renewed calls for more rigorous screening and vetting of teachers before they are hired. Some community members believe that a more thorough vetting process could help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
However, despite the community's outrage and the seriousness of the allegations, Limpopo education spokesman Mike Maringa told Daily Sun that the matter has been investigated, and the allegations couldn’t be substantiated. "There’s no disciplinary action against the teacher," he said.
Maringa's statement is likely to further inflame tensions in the community, who may view the lack of disciplinary action as a failure to protect their children. The community's response to Maringa's statement remains to be seen, but it is likely to intensify calls for an independent investigation. The conflicting accounts between the community and the education department raise serious questions about the thoroughness and impartiality of the initial investigation.
