Mary Papayya
Mary Papayya
The five Umlazi teachers accused of having sex with pupils at Makhumbuza High School might be fired if found guilty.
Newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal provincial education MEC Senzo Mchunu said yesterday that he had appointed "an independent prosecution team to act against the alleged perpetrators".
The matter is also allegedly under consideration by the provincial public prosecutor for criminal charges to proceed.
The team is acting on the findings and recommendations of a preliminary investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment levelled at the five teachers.
The five teachers are alleged to have indulged in a sex orgy with pupils in the school's science laboratory.
Five parents at the school have already gone ahead and laid rape charges against the teachers.
Allegations of sexual harassment first surfaced on April 24 when a group of female pupils made their startling accusations to Umlazi's district manager.
The findings of the preliminary report were based on information obtained through written and verbal statements from 13 pupils aged between 16 and 21 years.
The five teachers were suspended soon after the victims went public. They remain suspended on full pay pending the final outcome of the investigation.
All the pupils involved are now back at the school.
"We are keen on finalising this case as soon as possible because we need to put the interests of the pupils concerned first," said Mchunu.
SA Democratic Teachers Union provincial chairperson Chris Ndlela said yesterday: "We take the allegations against the teachers very seriously.
"However, due process must be strictly adhered to when dealing with the alleged perpetrators.
"We have conducted our own investigation and will release our findings next month."
Congress of SA Students spokesperson Bhekisisa Shabane welcomed the setting up of an independent prosecution team and said "the teachers must be fired".
'Orgy' teachers up for misconduct
Mary Papayya
Mary Papayya
The five Umlazi teachers accused of having sex with pupils at Makhumbuza High School might be fired if found guilty.
Newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal provincial education MEC Senzo Mchunu said yesterday that he had appointed "an independent prosecution team to act against the alleged perpetrators".
The matter is also allegedly under consideration by the provincial public prosecutor for criminal charges to proceed.
The team is acting on the findings and recommendations of a preliminary investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment levelled at the five teachers.
The five teachers are alleged to have indulged in a sex orgy with pupils in the school's science laboratory.
Five parents at the school have already gone ahead and laid rape charges against the teachers.
Allegations of sexual harassment first surfaced on April 24 when a group of female pupils made their startling accusations to Umlazi's district manager.
The findings of the preliminary report were based on information obtained through written and verbal statements from 13 pupils aged between 16 and 21 years.
The five teachers were suspended soon after the victims went public. They remain suspended on full pay pending the final outcome of the investigation.
All the pupils involved are now back at the school.
"We are keen on finalising this case as soon as possible because we need to put the interests of the pupils concerned first," said Mchunu.
SA Democratic Teachers Union provincial chairperson Chris Ndlela said yesterday: "We take the allegations against the teachers very seriously.
"However, due process must be strictly adhered to when dealing with the alleged perpetrators.
"We have conducted our own investigation and will release our findings next month."
Congress of SA Students spokesperson Bhekisisa Shabane welcomed the setting up of an independent prosecution team and said "the teachers must be fired".
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