By OBAKENG MAJE
North West Department of Education has temporarily removed the Maphoitsile Primary School principal, Kgotlhaitsile William Maboitshege from the school after he allegedly sexually assaulted a Grade 6 learner.
It is alleged that Maboitshege sexually violated a learner by touching her breasts and private parts without her consent.
South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) and community members picketed outside the school calling for the removal of the principal. SANCO branch organizer, Lucky Tidikwe said they have engaged in a consultative meeting with the department and they are happy that Maboitshege was finally removed.
“The learner reported this matter to her grandmother who is her guardian. However, nothing was done to address this matter even though the parent went to school to report it. What Maboitshege did was wrong and surprisingly, more than five female learners also came forward with the same allegations.
“Imagine, the same teacher taught us many years ago, so he was supposed to regard these children as his granddaughters. So, it is clear that our learners are not living in a safer environment here. We have also advised the parent of the learner to go and open a criminal case with the police,” Tidikwe said.
Meanwhile, North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “We have taken a decision as the department to temporarily remove the principal from the school after the community picketed outside the school over this matter. We have requested him to report to the sub-district office in the meantime, while investigations are underway.
“So, we will wait for the outcome of the investigations. If it warrants that disciplinary actions need to be taken against the teacher, the department will do so. We have also summoned social workers to counsel the learners and parents.”
According to www.legalwise.org.za website: “Sexual abuse is where a person has sexual relations with another person without his or her consent, such as rape or sexual violation. The rights of a child must be protected at all costs and every child has the right to dignity, such as not to be humiliated, freedom and security, such as not to be subjected to any form of violence and not to have his/her body touched in an inappropriate way, which would include sexual abuse.
“Bring criminal charges against any person who has committed an offence against him/her, such as that a child who has been sexually abused by his/her teacher has a right to report this to the South African Police Service (SAPS).”
The website said a child can report an offence without the assistance of his/her parents or legal guardians, however, it is advisable that a child consult with them for assistance, report any incident, such as sexual abuse by a teacher, to another teacher at his/her school, and bring a civil claim in court (such as a claim for damages) against a teacher who sexually abused him/her.
It reported that the child will need the assistance of his/her parent or legal guardian to bring a civil claim in court. A website said a teacher is required to place the interests of a child first.
“While a child is at school, a teacher has a duty of care over such a child. This means that a teacher must look after the child and act as the child’s parents, especially where there may be a threat to the safety of the child.
“A teacher also has a duty to report any knowledge that s/he may have that a child is being sexually abused. Except for the teacher, there is a general duty on every person who has knowledge of a child being sexually abused to report that knowledge.
The Guardian 