Out of 633 cases of misconduct investigated against teachers in South Africa, 93 of these were for rape and sexual assault
The South African Council for Educators (SACE), in its annual report tabled in Parliament this week, said more than 101 teachers were hauled before disciplinary hearings.
During the past financial year the Department of Basic Education fired 32 teachers for acts of misconduct, including cases of rape.
In its report, SACE stated that out of 101 disciplinary cases, 67 teachers were found guilty, 11 were found not guilty, while 23 cases were withdrawn.
“Cases (were) withdrawn at the hearings owing to lack of co-operation by witnesses and parents,” the report said.
SACE has previously complained in Parliament that parents and learners failed to co-operate with them when it came to cases of rape and sexual offences against teachers.
“A total of 633 complaints were received for the year as compared to 550 that council had anticipated to process for the year.
“It must be noted that SACE has no control over the number of cases that may be reported to it in any financial year,” the organisation said, adding there had been an increase in the number of cases reported for the misconduct of teachers.
The report comes as the country has been grappling with gender-based violence.
President Cyril Ramaphosa told an SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) conference in Nasrec, Joburg, last week that teachers must protect learners.
SACE is now set to face the portfolio committee on basic education in the coming weeks. The department has been under pressure to clamp down on teachers who are involved in sexual relationships with learners.
A year ago a teacher in Manguzi, KwaZulu-Natal, was accused of impregnating five learners.
It was later shown the teacher impregnated more learners over several years.
Meanwhile, SADTU general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said the union condemned teachers’ misconduct.
“We are very clear when it comes to that (rape and sexual assault) there must be no sympathy from SACE. We are clear that people must be struck off the roll and not find their way back.
“We cannot have a teacher who impregnates five learners,” said Maluleke.
He said SACE should be allowed to continue its job of rooting out elements falling foul of the law.
Maluleke said the department of education and SADTU had to work together to deal with cases and prevent theft and fraud.
The SA teacher’s union operational director, Johan Kruger, said improper teacher-learner relationships had to be stopped.
Cape Argus