KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education Condemns Alleged Statutory Rape at Zwelethu Secondary School

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has expressed outrage following allegations of statutory rape involving educators at Zwelethu Secondary School in the uMlazi District.

In a statement, the department indicated that the allegations represented another incident of the breakdown in the moral integrity expected from individuals entrusted with the protection and development of children.

The incident came to the fore after an urgent session held by the National Portfolio Committee on Education, over the past week, which brought to light the escalating crisis of sexual offences occurring in South African schools.

The committee condemned the alarming pattern of recycling sexual offenders, which allows them to slip into new school environments without facing the consequences of their actions, a troubling practice deemed a national disgrace that must cease immediately.

The department expressed its condemnation of any educator who exploited their authority to prey on children, labelling such actions as unethical, immoral, and criminal, and such individuals must bear the harshest legal repercussions under South African law.

MEC Sipho Hlomuka has called for calm within the community and promised a zero tolerance approach in dealing with the matter, and, should the allegations be substantiated, the implicated educators will be removed and handed over to law enforcement authorities.

"The safety, dignity, and well-being of our learners are non negotiable.

"The Department will not rest until every predator posing as a teacher is rooted out of the education system," Hlomuka said.

The MEC also urged communities, parents, and political formations to refrain from storming school premises, and cautioned that such actions could impede ongoing investigations and disrupt the learning environment.

This plea came at a time when some learners were currently undertaking the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, including the Consumer Studies paper scheduled for Wednesday.

The Department emphasised the need to protect students from any form of trauma, chaos, or fear during this crucial phase of their academic journey.

The department took aim at the MKP political party for what they described as political grandstanding at the school, distancing themselves from such irresponsible conduct.

The interference in serious educational matters during a sensitive period has been denounced as unprofessional and unacceptable.

Political formations are urged to abstain from using this sensitive matter for political point-scoring while investigations are still ongoing.

The department also called for swift and decisive response from all necessary authorities, affirming that the era of concealing or quietly transferring offenders is over.

Recently, a new parliamentary report revealed a disturbing rise in serious misconduct cases involving teachers, including 30 allegations of statutory rape and several cases involving the sexual assault of young learners.

The findings were presented to the parliamentary portfolio committee on basic education this week by the KZN Department of Education's Deputy Director.

The MKP did not provide a response to questions.

DAILY NEWS