Shocked parents removed their children from school on Thursday after three videos showing a teacher abusing three pupils went viral.
Earlier in the day, the Department of Social Development called on anyone with information about the videos to contact authorities.
Gauteng police then confirmed they are investigating the matter after the principal of Ninnies Neuron’s Nursery School in Carletonville made a case.
The principal said she found out about the abuse last week and immediately reported the caregiver to SAPS Child Protection Services.
The videos were apparently made about a year ago already.
It is unclear who recorded the incidents, but the Department called for legal action to be taken against the person as they did nothing while the three young children were being slapped, kicked and trampled on.
VIDEO: SUPPLIED
In one sickening video, the woman stomps on the head of a little boy.
Gauteng police confirmed the caregiver has been arrested and charged.
In another video, a little girl in a pink jersey is seen cleaning vomit off a table in a classroom, while a female teacher stands over her.
She pulls down the child’s pants and smacks her bare bum several times.
The teacher repeatedly asks her why she vomited as the child cries softly.
She also hits the child several times on the head.
In another more disturbing video, what appears to be the same woman is seen striking a little boy and pulling him by his clothes as she cleans a carpet.
Gauteng police spokesman Brigadier Mathapelo Peters says: “Police can confirm that a 40-year-old woman was arrested a week ago and subsequently appeared on the 28 March 2019 in the Oberholzer Court in Carletonville, on a charge of assaulting a minor.
SCENE: Nursery school in Carletonville, Gauteng. Photo: Supplied
“The woman is due back in court on 7 May 2019 after she was released on bail, while further investigations are under way by the police.
“With the court process having commenced and, given that the investigation is yet to be concluded, police are not at liberty to divulge any further detail or give further comment on this matter.
“Management of police have, however, condemned in the harshest terms possible, both the incident as well as the continued irresponsible circulation of the video clips on social media platforms,” Peters says.