This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
News24 reports that a Free State teacher has been dismissed after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a Welkom secondary school pupil in November 2018.
The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) found that the teacher, MA Fokwebe, "hugged the learner, grabbed her hard and kissed [her] with [an] open mouth twice on her lips at Welkom Secondary school". In the view of the Free State Department of Basic Education, although Fokwebe had violated professional conduct, because he had shown remorse by pleading guilty to the charge, an appropriate sanction should be a final written warning and three months’ suspension from work without pay. However, ELRC commissioner Khuduga Tlale said Fokwebe's conduct amounted to abuse of a sexual nature committed against a pupil and, therefore, he should be summarily dismissed. "I have considered the totality of circumstances to decide whether dismissal would be a fair and appropriate sanction if it was not mandatory. It is important to note that sexual assault on a learner is a standard that should not be breached and that [the] conduct was unwelcome and unwarranted," Tlale indicated. "My finding is aimed at the protection of children and, in particular, vulnerable young girls," Tlale stated.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeanette Chabalala at News24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page