IN CONVERSATION WITH Onwabile Lubhelwana
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The Gauteng Department of Education is investigating allegations of sexual harassment involving an educator and a 17-year-old Grade 12 learner at Minerva Secondary School.
According to the department, the alleged inappropriate communication between the educator and the learner began in June 2026 and reportedly continued through WhatsApp and other interactions. The matter was escalated to the Johannesburg East District for investigation.
Following preliminary investigations by the department’s Labour Relations Unit, the educator was placed on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of the formal investigation. The affected learner is also receiving psychosocial support.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile has described the allegations as serious, emphasising that the safety, dignity and wellbeing of learners must be protected.
The matter also led to disruptions at the school on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, when some learners were reportedly prevented from entering the premises. District officials, the School Management Team and the South African Police Service intervened to stabilise the situation.
Learners who were scheduled to write assessments and examinations were able to complete their academic activities. However, the department said significant teaching and learning time was lost, and the school will implement a recovery plan to make up for the lost time.
The department has called on all stakeholders to allow the investigation to proceed fairly and thoroughly, while maintaining stability at the school and protecting learners’ right to education. The allegations remain subject to the formal investigation, with further updates expected as the process progresses.
According to the department, the alleged inappropriate communication between the educator and the learner began in June 2026 and reportedly continued through WhatsApp and other interactions. The matter was escalated to the Johannesburg East District for investigation.
Following preliminary investigations by the department’s Labour Relations Unit, the educator was placed on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of the formal investigation. The affected learner is also receiving psychosocial support.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile has described the allegations as serious, emphasising that the safety, dignity and wellbeing of learners must be protected.
The matter also led to disruptions at the school on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, when some learners were reportedly prevented from entering the premises. District officials, the School Management Team and the South African Police Service intervened to stabilise the situation.
Learners who were scheduled to write assessments and examinations were able to complete their academic activities. However, the department said significant teaching and learning time was lost, and the school will implement a recovery plan to make up for the lost time.
The department has called on all stakeholders to allow the investigation to proceed fairly and thoroughly, while maintaining stability at the school and protecting learners’ right to education. The allegations remain subject to the formal investigation, with further updates expected as the process progresses.
