Update: GDE finalised investigation into rated movie incident at primary school
Principal maintains that he did not speak to the Record.
Mr MF Hlatshwayo, former principal of Jozua Naudé Primary School, did not have any part in the screening of a movie with a 17+ age restriction to Grade 6 and 7 learners at the school. This was the outcome of an investigation by the Gauteng Department of Education, which also found that no children were harmed when the film was screened.
Keanu, the film in question, contains foul language, violence and scenes of substance abuse.
Concerned parents contacted the publication when they became aware of the incident in June 2017. Roodepoort Record presented the information to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), which launched an investigation.
At the time, Mr Hlatshwayo took exception to the fact that he was quoted in the publication’s reporting. Roodepoort Record journalist, Riaan van Zyl, indicated that he had spoken to Mr Hlatshwayo. Mr Hlatshwayo denied ever having spoken to Van Zyl. To this day, he maintains that he was never contacted for comment. The dispute was presented to and dealt with by the former Press Ombudsman, Mr Johan Retief. However, this conclusion was arrived at before the outcome of the GDE investigation had become known.
CLICK HERE FOR THE OMBUDSMAN’S FINDING
According to the outcome of the GDE’s investigation, Mr Hlatshwayo was not present when the film was screened, and was not in any way responsible for it happening.
Click here for more information on the GDE’s finding.
Also Read: Principal not responsible for screening R-rated movie at primary school
- Roodepoort Record apologises for not requesting follow-up information from the GDE sooner. Roodepoort Record apologises to Mr Hlatshwayo.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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