A 35-YEAR-OLD Grade R teacher at Harvester Primary School in Westridge has resigned and was later arrested after she is alleged to have sent a learner “pornography”.
Kwaad parents protested outside of the school yesterday, demanding answers, after the shocking reports came to light this week.
According to reports, the principal requested that the minor’s phone be handed in on 7 June which revealed that the teacher had allegedly sent the Grade 7 learner explicit nude images and videos.
Zayaan Abrahams, who has two kids at the school, told the Daily Voice that the reason she and other parents protested outside the school is because they want answers from the school’s principal.
Abrahams said: “We are here because a Grade R teacher has sent porn videos, we would say porn videos because she is advertising her breast to a Grade 7 learner and we want to know what is being done.”
Parents and community members were outside the school from 8am to 11am without getting answers and said that they intend to bring a petition to demand that the school’s palie and deputy step down.
Loreza Allies, whose child is in the same class as the teacher, said that parents were informed of the incident on 10 June, however the matter became known to the school last week.
Allies added: “We want answers from the school. Why did none of them phone us or call the Grade R parents to sort it out?
“A lot of parents said the previous day that there were stories of teachers helping the children to the toilets, why is that happening?”
After the parents had left at around 11am, news broke of the teacher’s arrest and the School Governing Board (SGB) issued a statement that they are aware of the allegations of sexual abuse/grooming against the minor.
The SGB stated: “The SGB and Western Cape Education Department (WCED) adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse. The educator was in the employ of the SGB and not the WCED and has resigned with immediate effect.
“The matter will be referred to the South African Council of Educators (SACE) for further handling.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said that Lentegeur police station had opened a sexual harassment case which was transferred to the Mitchells Plain Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for investigation.
Van Wyk reported: “A 35-year-old suspect was arrested at a premises in Athlone on 12 June at 11am.
“She was provisionally charged in terms of the Sexual Offences Act, causing a child to be exposed to pornography.
“The suspect is currently being processed where after which she will appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates Court.”
