Six teachers from St John’s College in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, have been suspended pending an internal investigation by the Provincial Education Department. The suspension is the result of grave allegations of sexual harassment, exploitation, and intimidation directed against minors within the school.
Monday marked a significant upheaval at the school as students took to the streets to protest the allegations, which claim some male educators have impregnated learners and forced them to undergo abortions. These distressing reports have disrupted teaching and learning, as concerned students and parents demand accountability and justice.
St John’s College, a prestigious institution known for nurturing future leaders, now faces a crisis that has shaken its community to its core. Learners have bravely come forward, alleging threats and coercion from the educators involved, with some parents reportedly receiving death threats in an attempt to silence them. “These educators also threatened the victims and their parents,” one student explained. “They also tried to bribe them but unfortunately that did not happen because the victims came out and told us as COSAS that here we are and we are the victims and so we are tired.”
The Congress of South African Students (COSAS) has voiced its solidarity with the affected learners, insisting on the immediate suspension of the alleged perpetrators. COSAS NEC Member Zama Mvula expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation process, stating, “…we feel like the Department of Education is failing us.” Mvula highlighted that this issue is not limited to a single grade, as students from grades 8, 10, 11, and 12 are affected, calling attention to the urgency of addressing such serious cases.
Many learners have echoed the sentiment that the accused teachers must not only be suspended but also stripped of their teaching licences to prevent further exploitation. “We cannot be having them teaching in any other school because they are going to be perpetrators again and again,” one learner stated passionately. “We want these educators to cease to exist in the education system; some of them should be arrested because what they are doing is a criminal offence.”
Vuyokazi Mbingeleli, a parent of one of the learners, conveyed the devastation felt by families involved. “We want to know when the perpetrator is going to be arrested,” she implored. “We want to see justice. There are many other cases that should be investigated.”
The Eastern Cape Provincial Education Department has condemned the allegations and reassured parents and learners that the internal investigation will resume shortly. Department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima emphasised the importance of due process in addressing such serious concerns.