Diamond Fields Advertiser reports that a massive public outcry has erupted following reports that 30 pupils at one school in the Northern Cape have been impregnated by teachers.  

The provincial education department has commenced a full-scale investigation and on Thursday confirmed that the implicated teachers at the Bothitong High School in Kuruman would be placed on precautionary suspension “to ensure that they do not interfere with the credibility of our investigation”.  According to reports, pupils from the school claimed that they were being paid stipends for having unprotected sex with male teachers.  On Thursday, members of the public, together with unions and political parties, expressed outrage at the reports.  Fikile Mtathu, provincial secretary of the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), said that the union had learned of the allegations of serious unbecoming conduct “with great shock, disappointment and disgust” and that the union strongly condemned the alleged behaviour.  The union called on the provincial education department to take swift action against those found guilty and also indicated that it had instituted its own investigation to ensure that none of its members were involved.

• Read this report by Patsy Beangstrom in full at Diamond Fields Advertiser
• Read Sadtu’s press statement at Politicsweb
• See too, Investigators to probe sexual misconduct allegations at Northern Cape school, at EWN
• And also, 'Paedophile teachers turning girl learners into sex slaves': ANCWL, at News24

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page