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VIDEO: Hoërskool Jan Viljoen staff member suspended, more clashes as parents wait for MEC

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi briefly spoke to parents of Hoërskool Jan Viljoen learners on Thursday, confirming that a staff member employed by the SGB had been suspended following sex-related allegations.

Parents of learners at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen clashed once again as they waited for Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi to address them as promised on Thursday evening February 17.

According to a statement issued by acting Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Oupa Bodibe, the meeting at the school’s sports field was scheduled to start at 17:30 but was delayed.

“The purpose of the meeting is for the MEC to report back and listen to the parents’ concerns,” Bodibe said.

Clashes broke out as parents were waiting for the MEC. Photo: Tumi Riba.

As they waited, white parents complained that they were not represented fairly at the meeting, whereas black parents had an overwhelming majority of representatives.

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When the MEC eventually arrived, he attributed being late to a rainstorm.

My sincere apologies for being here late. We were delayed by the storm as we were coming here; we really looked forward to hearing what parents have to say,” Lesufi said.

The meeting was delayed by a rainstorm. Photo: Tumi Riba.

After announcing that the meeting would be postponed to Sunday February 20, the MEC also confirmed that a staff member employed by the SGB had been suspended following allegations of sex-related misconduct.

We’ve made contact with the South African Human Rights Commission and I’m happy that they’ve already started with their work. As indicated in our last meeting, I spoke to the school governing body and they’ve agreed to suspend the staff member who was implicated by learners in terms of sexual harassment.”

MEC met the parents briefly to apologise. Photo: Tumi Riba.

Read previous articles on this below:

Tensions high at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen
Hoërskool Jan Viljoen chaos: Allegations of racism and sexual harassment
‘Hoërskool Jan Viljoen-kwessie moet met omsigtigheid hanteer word’

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