CAPE TOWN – A Grade R teacher from Mitchells Plain is facing serious allegations after she reportedly sent sexually explicit material to a Grade 7 pupil. The 35-year-old teacher, employed at Harvester Primary School in Westridge, Mitchells Plain, has since resigned and been arrested, sparking outrage amongst parents and the local community.
The scandal came to light after the school principal requested the minor’s phone be handed in on 7 June. The subsequent investigation revealed alleged explicit nude images and videos sent by the teacher to the Grade 7 learner.
It is alleged that the communication began on TikTok and later moved to WhatsApp, where the teacher reportedly sent the child sexually explicit videos of herself pleasuring her punani with her hand.
Our nes crew has seen partially nude images of the teacher, which she allegedly sent to the pupil.
The teacher appeared in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate's Court for sexual harassment and child grooming.
The matter returns to court on 23 June for bail application. The accused remains in custody until then.
Parents and residents were outside the school from 8am to 11am without getting answers and said they intended to bring a petition to demand the school’s principal and deputy step down.
Zayaan Abrahams, who has two children at the school, said the reason she and other parents protested was due to them waiting on answers from the school’s principal.
"We are here because a Grade R teacher has sent porn videos, we would say porn videos because she is advertising her breast to a Grade 7 learner and we want to know what is being done," Abrahams said.
The incident has ignited fury amongst parents, who protested outside the school on Thursday, demanding answers and accountability from the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED). The lack of immediate suspension for the teacher further fuelled public anger.
Community member Ayesha Cassiem said residents were furious at the school’s handling of the matter.
“The community is outraged,” she said.
“The school tried to keep this under wraps, but more people found out this week, and now we’re demanding action.”
Loreza Allies, whose child is in the same class as the teacher, said parents were informed of the incident on 10 June, however, the matter became known to the school last week.
Allies added: “We want answers from the school. Why did none of them phone us or call the Grade R parents to sort it out?"
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the department’s labour relations directorate was notified last Friday and launched an immediate investigation.
“It has since been established that the teacher is not a WCED employee but was hired by the school governing body (SGB),” Hammond said.
In a statement, the SGB confirmed the teacher’s resignation.
“The SGB and WCED adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse,” it read. “The teacher, employed by the SGB, has resigned with immediate effect. The matter will be referred to the South African Council of Educators (SACE) for further handling.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said police opened a case, which was transferred to the Mitchells Plain Family Matters, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for further investigation.
“A 35-year-old suspect was arrested at a premises in Athlone on Thursday,” Van Wyk added. “She was provisionally charged in terms of Section 18 of the Sexual Offences Act 32 of 2007 – causing a child to be exposed to pornography.”
The tlof tlof-loving teacher was not asked to plead when she appeared in court on Friday. She was remanded in custody until 23 June and was advised to apply for bail.
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