KEY POINTS
- A teachers’ assault charge was filed against a Symphony High School teacher who allegedly slapped his colleague Kelly Manus on the buttocks.
- Vanessa Le Roux is urging action against the teacher and saying additional victims may speak up.
- Investigations by the Western Cape Education Department are being carried out into what happened as well as further allegations about the accused.
Authorities brought a Symphony High School teacher from Belhar, Cape Town, to court this week over allegations of common assault with sexual undertones.
A video of the incident went viral, sparking national outrage. Kelly Manus, who people know online as ‘Daai Kind’, posted a video in detail, stating that the teacher and his wife, the school principal, are both responsible for bullying and silencing her.
Vanessa Le Roux says a real change is necessary, citing more than kelly’s case
Founder of Parents for Equal Education SA (Peesa) and education activist Vanessa Le Roux has been there for Manus all this time. When interviewed by the media, Le Roux argued that using the phrase “common assault” in the case is unjust.
Someone told her that touching a person’s breast or vagina counts as sexual assault, but touching the buttocks is classified as common assault. “This makes me very uneasy as a mother. Why is this attacker thinking he has the right to force himself on women?
Le Roux explained why he thought the accused must not engage with young people. Is it possible that the harm happened to a colleague; what about the children? There are now more teachers and learners who are speaking up. She courageously shared her story and that’s bigger than Kelly ever was.
Department investigates response after news of more allegations comes to light apart from Kelly Manus
Bronagh Hammond, who works for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), publicly confirmed that the department is looking into the claim that the principal did not report what happened.
Hammond responded to allegations that some teachers had previously made improper comments to students about sex. She believes authorities denied a second investigation because the alleged witness was not available for an interview.
The educator has another court appearance set for 19 June. While speaking, Le Roux suggested hope that the justice system will start protecting women in the educational sphere.
