- Two teachers from South Peninsula High School are facing charges of rape and indecent assault in separate trials at the Wynberg Regional Court.
- Despite the charges, one teacher continued working at the school until recently, while the other retired.
- The Western Cape Education Department is monitoring the situation, awaiting the outcome of the legal process.
Two teachers associated with the South Peninsula High School in Plumstead face respective charges of rape and indecent assault in two separate ongoing trials that were moved to the Wynberg Regional Court on Friday 14 June.
The teachers, who are related, made multiple appearances in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court since their maiden appearance on Friday 24 November last year.
Despite the trial, they allegedly remained active at the school and continued to earn salaries from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). One of the accused recently retired, while the other remained at the school until the end of the last term.
On Wednesday 26 June, People’s Post was approached by the sister of an ex-student, saying: “I work closely with Gender-based violence (GBV) awareness and education and find it disturbing that the school has not addressed this ongoing case involving two of their (teachers).”
Facebook posts
The complainant, who wished to remain anonymous to protect her sister, referenced multiple posts by various authors alluding that past and present teachers at the school are rumoured to be involved, either by suspicion or serious accusations, with regards to either rape or sexual misconduct, as published on an unofficial alumni Facebook page.
One such post, she added, was written by a witness in the trial. The post has since been removed. It since came to light that the accusation of rape against one of the accused stemmed back over 20 years.
The victim only came forward and officially opened the case as an adult in November last year.
Addressing rumours
A letter penned by the School Governing Body (SGB) chair Danny Bam on Friday 28 June addressed the rumours circulating online, stating: “We, the SGB of South Peninsula High School, are fully aware of the recent social media postings regarding a serious allegation against a (teacher) at South Peninsula High School.”
Bam reaffirmed the SGB’s commitment to oppose any form of abuse within the school community and beyond.
“We reassure all parents and (learners) of our continued commitment to support the education of all the (learners) in our care. The school has complied with all protocols and procedures as prescribed by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
“As the SGB, we stand by the justice system in our country, support the rights of every individual and shall unequivocally respect the outcome in this matter. We urge the community to allow the legal process to take its course and to respect the rights of everyone.”
People’s Post spoke to another alumni *Cindy who matriculated at the school in 2001. She also used to form part of the school’s parent body until her daughter matriculated last year.
“I was horrified to discover the accusations brought against these two teachers. One of them used to be a mentor to me, so you can imagine just how disappointed and aggrieved I felt. When I had processed this information, I slowly started to realise how this same educator exercised grooming tactics on me, too, as one of his former learners back in the day.”
“Grooming tactics”
She alleged that such grooming tactics involved the teacher punishing her with detention to stay behind after school, missing her school transport in the process, and needing a lift home provided by him.
“The more I think about it, the more I realise just how sickening it all was. But as a child, you’re either woefully ignorant or blinded by one’s admiration for them.”
WCED spokesperson Millicent Merton acknowledged they are aware of the trials.
Merton further commented: “Given that we have not received any formal complaint or evidence, we are guided by the legal processes.”
Provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Eric Ntabazalila was sent an enquiry to confirm both cases on Wednesday 10 July. A second inquiry was sent on Tuesday 16 July, and again on Friday 19 July. However, no feedback has yet been received.
