CAPE TOWN – A Western Cape teacher has been charged with assault following an incident involving a learner on Thursday 15 January, while the education department continues to address overcrowding concerns at Zeekoevlei Primary School.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed they were informed of the alleged assault on Friday morning 16 January, with the incident currently under investigation by the Labour Relations sub-directorate.
A 60-year-old female was arrested on Wednesday 21 January for assault and was warned to appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 27 January, said police spokesperson Sgt Wesley Twigg.
“The alleged assault incident involving a Grade 3 teacher is currently under investigation.
At this stage, we are unable to provide further details, as the matter forms part of an active internal process,” said WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond.
She emphasised that the teacher has not been found guilty in either process, as both investigations remain in early stages with outcomes yet to be determined.
“There has been no previous complaints of corporal punishment, abuse or assault against this (teacher),” Hammond noted, adding that the teacher is currently on leave while the affected learner has been placed in an alternative class.
Alleged overcrowding concerns
Meanwhile, tensions persist between Zeekoevlei Primary School’s governing body and the WCED over staffing and severe classroom overcrowding, with 76 Grade 7 learners allegedly reported in a single Afrikaans class (“Stand-off at Zeekoevlei,” People’s Post, 27 January 2026).
The School Governing Body (SGB) chair Rose-Aan Presence told People’s Post that she felt the dismissal of some of the staff members that were under contract, was unfair.
“We had a meeting with the school to say that we’re not going to let the SGB and non SGB (teachers) go because we don’t have replacements for them and that we’ll review their contracts at the end of March this year. We lost a cook, a counsellor, which is what the school desperately needs, a Grade 7 and Grade 1 (teacher) and the school’s bursar. The SGB has no say,” she said.
WCED clarifies staffing decisions
The WCED strongly refuted dismissal allegations, clarifying that five SGB-funded contract positions, including two teacher posts, a bursar, cook, and counsellor – expired at year-end and weren’t renewed due to funding constraints.
“These employees were informed last year, with discussions beginning in October, that their contracts would not be renewed due to funding issues. The SGB were very aware of this,” Hammond explained.
She said district officials have been working on-site to address operational matters.
The WCED acknowledged that the concluded teacher post impacted Grade 7 class structure and has been working to finalise revised arrangements.
“Officials have reviewed (teacher) qualifications, engaged school leadership, and explored feasible timetable and staffing adjustments. This process is progressing well,” Hammond said.
The WCED defines corporal punishment under the Abuse No More protocol as “any deliberate act against a child that inflicts pain or physical discomfort used to punish or contain him/her”, including spanking, slapping, pinching, paddling, or hitting with hands or objects.
“The WCED views allegations of corporal punishment in a very serious light and we urge anyone with knowledge of such transgressions to report it,” Hammond stated.
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