Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal – Jaco Delport, a head of department at Hoërskool Richardsbaai, has been found guilty of sexual assault following an arbitration hearing by the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC). The ruling, handed down on May 22 by arbitrator Ntombizonke Mbili, mandates Delport's dismissal, citing his conduct as a
clear abuse of power and authority.
Delport admitted to a series of inappropriate actions, including telling a female pupil, identified as "Learner A," that he loved her and instructing her to call him by his first name, "Jaco," instead of "sir." The arbitration hearing uncovered further disturbing details: Delport discussed his sex life during lessons, kept condoms in his classroom for purported "scientific experiments," and permitted learners to vape in a storeroom.
Arbitrator Mbili highlighted Delport's "uniquely personal and inappropriate fixation" on Learner A, noting that she was the only student he kissed and subsequently blocked on WhatsApp. Learner A testified that Delport, initially perceived as a "cool teacher" due to his understanding nature, gradually intensified his inappropriate attention towards her. This included discussing his private sex life with his wife during lessons and sending her WhatsApp messages containing red heart emojis and a "love" poem.
Further allegations from Learner A detailed Delport's physical advances, such as touching her thigh, rubbing her back, and whispering "I love you." During an exam in November 2022, he allegedly placed a love poem on her desk. Most alarmingly, Learner A claimed that in 2023, Delport offered her an easy chemistry exam paper if she allowed him to "take care of her," threatening a difficult paper if she refused. The subsequent difficult exam, which many pupils failed, corroborated her account.
Delport, who has been teaching since 2000 and was promoted to head of department in 2016, acknowledged some of the allegations. He admitted to tying a ribbon in Learner A's hair, telling her she could call him Jaco, and confessing his love to her. He also confirmed sending WhatsApp messages with heart emojis and sharing the poem, which he claimed was about overcoming challenges. His defense attempted to normalize these actions as part of a "family-like" school culture, including hugging, but Mbili found no evidence that other educators engaged in similar "sexualized" conduct.
Mbili concluded that Delport's actions created a "sexually charged and intimidating environment" for Learner A, leading to paranoia and fear of attending class. She emphasized that sexual assault encompasses any non-consensual act of a sexual nature that violates a learner's bodily integrity or dignity, even without penetration or direct genital contact. The arbitrator dismissed Delport's attempt to frame his conduct as paternalistic, stating that such behavior, including the use of heart emojis and the request to be called by his first name, are "hallmarks of grooming, not caregiving."
Delport's attorney, Esther Meiring, expressed disagreement with some of the factual findings and legal conclusions but declined to comment in detail due to ongoing legal processes. She affirmed that any challenge to the award would be pursued through appropriate legal channels. The KwaZulu-Natal education department has not yet responded to media inquiries. The case underscores a critical need for accountability and the upholding of professional standards within educational institutions.
