Violence Erupts at Soshanguve Schools as Allegations Rock Tiyelelani Secondary

What should have been a routine Tuesday in Soshanguve quickly turned into chaos. Pupils from Tiyelelani Secondary School and surrounding schools abandoned classrooms, marching through the streets of Block L in protest. By midday, property was damaged, one learner was injured, and police had been called in to restore order.

At the centre of it all? Explosive allegations of sexual misconduct and negligence involving staff linked to Tiyelelani Secondary.

Allegations That Shook a Community

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed it had received disturbing reports: a teacher accused of sexually assaulting a pupil and a school transport driver alleged to have engaged in an inappropriate relationship with another learner.

For a community already grappling with social pressures, such allegations strike a deep nerve. Parents in Soshanguve have long spoken about the vulnerability of their children in schools, where overcrowding, understaffing, and lax oversight often create cracks in which abuse can thrive.

“The GDE views these allegations in a very serious light and has since launched an urgent enquiry,” the department said. Police are also investigating.

MEC Calls for Calm

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, visibly concerned about both the allegations and the violence that followed, urged pupils and parents to remain calm.

“We are determined to act in the best interest of pupils at Tiyelelani Secondary School and surrounding schools,” Chiloane said. “Teaching and learning must continue without disruption, especially during this crucial time when matriculants are busy with their preliminary examinations.”

To defuse tensions, the GDE removed the school principal with immediate effect. An acting deputy principal has stepped in, supported by district officials, to ensure stability while investigations run their course.

Matrics Writing Under Police Guard

Despite the turmoil, Grade 12 learners managed to sit for their Accounting exam under tight police and departmental security. The sight of armed officers patrolling exam venues painted a grim picture of how fragile the situation remains.

Officials say their priority is protecting learners while restoring calm. “Allegations of misconduct by teachers or any employee, even those from our service providers, will be subjected to disciplinary processes,” Chiloane stressed.

Social Media Reacts

On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), reactions were swift. Parents expressed both anger and heartbreak, with some accusing the education system of failing to protect vulnerable children. Others pleaded for restraint, warning that violent protests only hurt learners who need to be in class, especially matric pupils facing exams.

One parent posted: “We send our kids to school to learn, not to be victims. If the allegations are true, heads must roll. But the violence is not the answer.”

Incidents like this aren’t new in Gauteng. Over the past decade, the province has seen repeated cases of teacher misconduct and negligence sparking outrage in communities. What sets this one apart is how quickly it spiraled into a violent protest, disrupting not only Tiyelelani but other schools nearby.

The Soshanguve protests reveal a deeper frustration: parents and pupils feel ignored until their voices turn into flames and broken windows. The GDE’s challenge now is not just to investigate the allegations, but to rebuild trust in a community that feels its children are not safe at school.

For now, Soshanguve waits, caught between the pain of the allegations and the hope that this time, action will match the promises.

{Source: The Citizen}

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