Basic Education Committee Chairperson shocked at allegations of multiple sex relations against Queenstown Girls High teacher

11 October 2024

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, today expressed her shock at the reports that a teacher from Queenstown Girls High School in the Eastern Cape has been suspended after allegedly having “multiple sexual relationships” with learners at the school.
 
The school announced the teacher’s suspension yesterday afternoon after the allegations surfaced when a social media post went viral.
 
“I am utterly shocked and disgusted by these allegations. We send our girl-children to school and assume and expect it to be a safe environment. Yet now we read about a teacher, who is in a position of authority, having multiple sexual relationships with learners,” said Ms Maimela.
 
According to the reports, the teacher in question has not been arrested. Learners claimed that they fear for their safety. “I note the fear of learners. I want to appeal to the law enforcement to leave no stone unturned in the investigation. Our children are vulnerable in situations like this, and predators abuse their power of authority over them,” Ms Maimela said.
 
Ms Maimela noted the response from the Eastern Cape Department of Education that has already sent a team to conduct a preliminary investigation into the allegations. “This speedy action must be commended. We need to do everything in our power to ensure the allegations are investigated speedily and thoroughly. Furthermore, the school should be provided with psycho-social support to ensure that those learners directly and indirectly affected by the alleged events are not scarred for life and to help them cope with the situation,” Ms Maimela said.

Issued by Rajaa Azzakani, Media Officer, Parliament, 11 October 2024