Gauteng teacher placed on precautionary suspension after alleged sexual harassment of Grade 12 learner

A Gauteng teacher has been placed on precautionary suspension after allegations of sexual harassment involving a 17-year-old Grade 12 learner. The Gauteng Department of Education says the matter is the subject of a formal investigation.

Allegations and early probe

According to the Gauteng Education Department, the allegations relate to inappropriate communication between the educator and the Grade 12 learner. The department said those communications reportedly began in June 2026 and continued through WhatsApp and other interactions.

The matter was escalated to the Johannesburg East District for investigation. “Following preliminary investigations by the Gauteng Department of Education’s Labour Relations Unit, the educator has been placed on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of the formal investigation.”

Support for the learner and response at the school

The department said psychosocial support was being provided to the affected learner. The allegations prompted disruptions at the school when some learners were prevented from entering the premises.

District officials, the School Management Team and the South African Police Service (SAPS) intervened to stabilise the situation.

“Educators occupy positions of trust and responsibility. Any allegation of inappropriate conduct towards a learner must be investigated thoroughly and without fear or favour. Our schools must remain safe spaces where learners are protected and respected.”

Teaching and learning affected

Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile said he was deeply concerned about the allegations and also about the disruption to classes. He stressed that while the affected learner must be protected, the right of every learner to receive an education must also be safeguarded.

Maile said learners who were scheduled to write assessments and examinations were able to complete their academic activities. He also said substantial teaching and learning time was lost, and the school will implement a recovery plan to address the lost academic time.

Investigation under way

The department confirmed the allegations remain subject to a formal investigation and called on stakeholders to allow that process to proceed fairly and thoroughly while maintaining stability at the school. Further updates would be communicated as the investigation progresses.