The Free State Department of Education wholeheartedly welcomes the verdict handed down by the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) to a Makabelane Technical School teacher who was found guilty of the sexual assault of two learners and the sexual harassment of another learner.
On May 12, 2025, the teacher was dismissed with immediate effect following an arbitration hearing. He was found guilty of eight allegations of sexual misconduct involving the three learners. Two learners were minors (14 and 16 years old) and the other was 18 years old at the time of the allege abuse, which took place between 2023 and 2024.
The ELRC also ruled that the educator was deemed unsuitable to work with children in terms of Section 120(4) of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. The department commends the department ‘s, Labour Relations officials and ELRC respectively for their thorough investigation and arbitration process, ensuring justice was served.
We appreciate the courage of the learners who came forward to report the abuse and assure them of our continued support. The Free State Department of Education reaffirms its commitment to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all learners.
The department will continue to work tirelessly to prevent and respond to incidents of abuse. We will also provide support and resources to survivors, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they need.
Mostly importantly we will prioritize the protection and support of our learners, ensuring they receive quality education in a safe environment. We urge learners and teachers who have experienced abuse or know someone who has to report incidents to the relevant authorities. Together, we can create a safe and respectful learning environment.
