THE Mpumalanga education department is investigating cases of sexual misconduct against teachers at five schools.
Teachers at the Sekhukhuza, Letshele, Alfred Matshine, Lehlasedi and Sedibeng high schools, all in Bushbuckridge, are said to have a high number of teacher-pupil relationships, but some pupils are not happy about the investigation.
Julia Mashego, 15, (not her real name) a Grade 10 pupil at Sekhukhuza in Shatale, yesterday said despite the investigation she would not end her relationship with her teacher because there were "fringe benefits".
"My teacher supports me financially. That is useful because I live with my grandmother who uses her pension for booze. The teacher pays for my clothes, lunch and school fees," Mashego said.
A pupil from Letshele said she had two children with her teacher.
"The teacher is married and has children with his wife but without him I cannot do anything for myself. If you suspended or expelled him because of our affair you will have destroyed me too," said the 18-year-old girl.
Sowetan has learnt that teachers at the schools have refused an independent inquiry and instead suggested that the school governing bodies handle investigations.
Department spokesperson Jasper Zwane said: "We have instructed our regional office in Bushbuckridge to investigate the allegations because we view the allegations in a very serious light."
Probe to flush out sex pests
THE Mpumalanga education department is investigating cases of sexual misconduct against teachers at five schools.
Teachers at the Sekhukhuza, Letshele, Alfred Matshine, Lehlasedi and Sedibeng high schools, all in Bushbuckridge, are said to have a high number of teacher-pupil relationships, but some pupils are not happy about the investigation.
Julia Mashego, 15, (not her real name) a Grade 10 pupil at Sekhukhuza in Shatale, yesterday said despite the investigation she would not end her relationship with her teacher because there were "fringe benefits".
"My teacher supports me financially. That is useful because I live with my grandmother who uses her pension for booze. The teacher pays for my clothes, lunch and school fees," Mashego said.
A pupil from Letshele said she had two children with her teacher.
"The teacher is married and has children with his wife but without him I cannot do anything for myself. If you suspended or expelled him because of our affair you will have destroyed me too," said the 18-year-old girl.
Sowetan has learnt that teachers at the schools have refused an independent inquiry and instead suggested that the school governing bodies handle investigations.
Department spokesperson Jasper Zwane said: "We have instructed our regional office in Bushbuckridge to investigate the allegations because we view the allegations in a very serious light."