FOLLOWING manhandling and sexual harassment accusations at Grosvenor Girls’ High School, police in the Brighton Beach branch released a statement pertaining to the incident.
While it is acknowledged that learners have rights, it is important to highlight that with each right comes a responsibility. According to the police, while executing these rights, one must ensure that they do not infringe on the right of others as stipulated in the Constitution of South Africa.
Spokesperson for the local SAPS Capt Louise Le Roux compiled a list of concerns about the recently staged protest by the learners.
READ ALSO: Teacher accused of sexual harrassment at Grosvenor Girls
“Upon our investigations, we discovered that learners had made false reports to their parents that the school had not reported the educator’s conduct to the Department of Education when the senior management team had followed reporting procedures. Discrediting the senior management team was a contributing factor to learners and parents going into rioting mode. SAPS received call logs of all telephonic reports made to the circuit manager of the Department of Education, including the one made on the day the learners had reported their educator,” said Le Roux.
Another concern, she said, was that learners had displayed the name of the educator on placards during their protest. Also, images of learners and parents intimidating the educator were circulated over social media, showing the face of the accused.
READ ALSO: VIDEO UPDATE: Teacher accused of sexual harassment suspended
“It is unlawful and unconstitutional to publish the name or image of any individual accused of a crime in any form until such time as the person had appeared in court and pleaded on the charges brought before him. When used by the defense team of the accused in mitigating circumstances, it can negatively impact the outcome of the criminal case,” she explained.
Another unlawful act displayed during the school’s unrest was of learners and parents publishing victims’ and witnesses’ encounters with the alleged offender on social media, with some availing interviews to media houses.
“The dissimilarities in reports are worrying as it may affect the factuality of claims made by victims and witnesses in a court of law. It must also be noted that the police can use any footage, or information sourced from social media platforms, hard copy news publications, reports, and informers to assist them in their investigation.”
Capt Le Roux emphasised the fact that the school governing body had approved the placement of the educator in question at the school. He had been in the service of the school for six days when allegations of inappropriate conduct were made against him.
“The educator was suspended by the Department of Education on Tuesday, 31 July for three months pending the investigation against him. Learners and parents must allow for the two ongoing investigations to take their course if they want justice for their daughters and friends. These investigations are sensitive and must be conducted thoroughly before final outcomes can be achieved,” added Le Roux.
READ ALSO: DA calls on education MEC to speed up Grosvenor probe
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