A former assistant water polo coach at Parktown Boys’ High School, who allegedly sexually assaulted 20 school children, was set to appear in the South Gauteng High Court today, 10 November.
Rosebank Killarney Gazette is currently at the court. The case has been postponed to 22 November.
The former assistant waterpolo coach from #ParktownBoys is due to appear at the South Gauteng High Court this morning @RK_Gazette
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) November 10, 2017
Court proceedings at South Gauteng High Court are running late #ParktownBoys
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) November 10, 2017
The #ParktownBoys case has been postponed to 22 November
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) November 10, 2017
The 22-year-old accused was arrested in November last year when he was found on CCTV footage allegedly fondling a youngster. The charges against him include grooming children for sexual activity and exposure to child pornography.
The principal of the school, Kevin Stippel and the chairman of the school’s governing body, Nicholas Greyling were called in to review the footage.
“The police were contacted and the perpetrator was arrested. He has since been charged with sexual abuse of minors and is awaiting trial. The school banned him from the property pending a hearing but he resigned with immediate effect,” said Greyling, who added that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) was contacted and have been involved throughout this process.
However, the GDE said in a statement that they only became aware of the incident through the media. Greyling said that the school had been visited by a representative from the Department of Education so he was unsure why the Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, was not aware of the incident.
Greyling said there has been ongoing counselling and psychological support for the children and their parents throughout the process, and Luke Lamprecht from the Johannesburg Child Advocacy Forum has been assisting the school with an independent investigation to ensure complete transparency throughout the procedure.
A school newsletter titled, Breaking the Silence, was issued to parents and schoolchildren last year after the school became aware of the incident involving the children. The newsletter refers to a code of silence whereby students feel that they will not disclose even the most dangerous of information. The newsletter stresses the importance of children understanding that they play an essential role in ensuring the school is safe for all.
The Rosebank Killarney Gazette will provide more information at the court proceedings.
Related:
UPDATE: Parktown Boys coach accused of sexual assault is set to appear in court
Education MEC addresses assembly at Parktown Boys’ following allegations of sexual assault
Hertzberg writes about allegations of sexual assault at Parktown Boys’ High
Parktown Boys: GDE was alerted of alleged sexual assault last year
Man accused of sexual assault at Parktown Boys High has had his case postponed
Parktown Boys’ High sexual assault case to be investigated by GDE
