Deputy principal accused of having sex with pupil resigns

A Limpopo deputy principal accused of sleeping with a 19-year-old grade 12 learner has resigned with immediate effect.  

Spokesperson for the provincial department of education Mike Maringa, confirmed that Samuel Nchabeleng, 52, resigned from his position as deputy principal at Kgagatlou Secondary School in Ga-Mphahlele on Wednesday after he was accused of sexual misconduct.

“The resignation of the deputy principal came when the department had just placed him in a precautionary leave pending investigation of his alleged relationship with a matric learner,” Maringa said.

He said the department had also noted a planned protest by the community meant to happen on Thursday. 

“The concerned groups are urged not to disturb learners during this crucial time of the year when they are busy with their final year exams and more so that the teacher has since resigned,” Maringa said.

South African Council of Educators spokesperson Rusina Nkuna said they were concerned by the increasing number of reports of sexual misconduct involving teachers.

“The number of alleged sexual misconducts are increasing, despite the council’s efforts of empowering educators on the code and cautioning them of the repercussions of the breach of the code,” Nkuna said.

He called for all teachers to abide by the rules and behave in a respectable manner.

“Any person, who believes that an educator has breached the code of professional ethics may lodge a complaint with the council. The compliant should clearly disclose the alleged breach of the code,” Nkuna said.

On Monday, Nchabeleng was beaten up and paraded naked in the streets after the teenage girl's relatives claimed to have caught them in bed. Video clips showing Nchabeleng covered in blood while naked outside the school gate went viral on social media.

Nchabeleng, who also taught Geography, told the Sowetan during an interview on Tuesday that he planned to leave his teaching job. mahopoz@sowetan.co.za