Pupils at Soshanguve school ordered back to class after protests against alleged sexual abuse by teachers

JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng education department has instructed pupils at Tiyelelani Secondary School in Soshanguve to return to class after days of protests over sexual abuse allegations at the hands of teachers. 

The pupils took to the streets on Monday, claiming the school’s principal did not act with urgency after learning about the alleged abuse.

On Wednesday, the Gauteng education department visited the school to investigate the claims and subsequently removed three teachers identified as suspects.

The education department has also removed the principal of the school, while enraged parents are calling for stricter measures in the recruitment of teachers.

Queen Ngwenya is a parent at the school: "The teacher accused of the crime must be fired and arrested because this is a crime. An older teacher can never be said to be dating a learner, that is what grooming is, because the learner does not know better."

Education department officials met with parents, teachers, political parties and civil rights groups. 

In attendance was Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy chairperson, Phillip Makwala: "We must be honest that as much as we want education to resume, but at the centre of that education, the injustice that has been committed must be confronted."

He said they resolved that pupils must return to school on Wednesday.