KEY POINTS
- The educator faces investigation for using TikTok to manipulate a 12-year-old child.
- Academic guardians protest outside school premises to petition for a permanent teacher dismissal while asking for complete disclosure.
- The education department received calls to take quick action for pupil protection against immediate threats.
The staff member serving as teacher at Pitlochry Primary School in Westville has faced investigation after allegedly sending sexual content through TikTok to a 12-year-old student.
Muzi Mahlambi confirmed both details as KZN Department of Education spokesperson and disclosed that the teacher faced similar suspension at his previous school.
The principal together with the circuit manager received the new allegations about sexual harassment on April 5 that triggered an internal investigation process. The department’s head currently holds the findings and recommendations regarding this matter before implementing appropriate action according to Mahlambi.
Sydenham SAPS under Colonel Robert Netshiunda has opened a case of child grooming for investigation. Through private messaging the educator initiated sex-specific questions which he also asked the minor to maintain silence about their correspondence.
Public demands child grooming charges
The teacher’s removal from school received sustained protest from parents together with community members outside the educational institution during Tuesday. The community members voiced their questioning of the delay in swift arrest while expressing worries about the time it took to handle this situation, and demands child grooming charges.
The safety of children stands as Veran Jankee’s main priority since he has two students enrolled at the school. The community leader declared that predators should not exploit the educational environment to contact children.
Some members of the community criticized how the school managed the situation because the teacher continued working on school grounds following his administrative role duty assignment.
Nerusha Maharaj insisted that her and other parents learned about the situation through news media following the incident.
Calls for swift justice and stronger protection measures
The parent Dinesh Ramsunder demanded that the investigation process should not stretch out too long. Ward 23 Councillor Alicia Kissoon proclaimed that educational authorities should take firm measures because students require safe learning environments and parents need trust restoration.
Thirona Moodley of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) in KZN condemned teacher sexual misconduct while she emphasized the necessity of proper procedures.
Moodley emphasized that teachers serve to shield students from danger rather than take advantage of them before investigations conclude he added that all parties will receive investigation results.
