Naturena Primary School faces sexual assault allegations

A Johannesburg primary school is facing growing concern over learner safety after allegations of sexual assault involving younger boys and older pupils prompted protests by parents and community members.

The allegations concern Naturena Primary School No. 2, where Grade 4 boys are alleged to have been sexually assaulted by Grade 7 pupils. The situation has raised questions about learner protection, the school’s response and the steps being taken to establish what happened.

Reported by IOL, the incident prompted parents to gather at the school on Monday, 26 October, demanding accountability and calling for the principal’s removal.

Parents demand answers as police investigate

The protests reportedly took place both inside and outside the school as parents voiced concerns about the safety of their children.

Some parents also alleged that the reported incidents were not the first of their kind at the school. However, those claims still require proper investigation and should not be treated as established findings.

Police were called to the premises as tensions increased, while some parents threatened further demonstrations over their concerns.

According to IOL, some learners did not attend school on Tuesday after parents threatened to shut down the institution.

The protests have placed the school’s management under pressure, with families seeking answers about how the allegations were handled and what measures are being taken to protect learners.

Gauteng Education Department responds

Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile expressed concern about the allegations, stressing that sexual assault claims involving learners require serious attention and intervention.

According to the department, information received from the South African Police Service (SAPS) indicated that two learners had approached police to report alleged sexual assault incidents.

The department said it had requested a comprehensive report from the school to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations, including how the matter was handled and whether the appropriate procedures were followed.

It is also arranging psychosocial support and counselling for affected learners, their families, educators and school staff.

The department said it was working with the relevant authorities to ensure that investigations could proceed without interference.

Questions remain over precautionary measures

The response to the allegations has also raised questions about the immediate steps being taken while investigations continue.

In response to questions from IOL, the department confirmed that the pupils accused in the allegations had not been suspended.

Department spokesperson Onwabile Lubhelwana said precautionary measures had been taken, with the department still considering whether the pupils should be moved.

The department also confirmed that teaching and learning was continuing at the school.

Meanwhile, School Governing Body representative Sipho Nkosi said the SGB was concerned about the allegations and wanted the investigation to establish what had happened.

Nkosi said the governing body was awaiting the findings before making decisions about the principal’s position.

Protecting learners must remain the priority

While the investigation continues, the situation highlights the importance of ensuring that children can attend school in an environment where their safety and wellbeing are taken seriously.

Maile acknowledged parents’ constitutional right to peaceful protest but warned that disruptions should not prevent other learners from accessing education.

The department said the school had committed to a curriculum recovery plan to address learning time lost during the protests and provide affected learners with academic support.

It has also appealed to parents and community members to remain calm, respect the privacy of the minors involved and allow the relevant processes to unfold.

For families seeking answers, the immediate priorities remain the protection of learners, appropriate support for those affected and a thorough investigation into the allegations.

The claims have not yet been established as findings of guilt. The investigation will be important in determining what happened and whether the required school procedures were followed.

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Source: IOL

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