MEC GADE CONDEMNS SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARRASMENT OF LEARNERS

TO: NEWS EDITORS AND JOURNALISTS 

DATE: 20 SEPTEMBER  2025

 MEC GADE CONDEMNS SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARRASMENT OF LEARNERS

The Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) MEC Fundile Gade condemns all actions of abuse, sexual harassment and victimisation of learners by teachers in some of the province’s high schools. 

This follows the surfacing on various media platforms of videos implicating teachers of sexual misconduct against learners.  The department reiterate its position in condemning such malicious, unethical, unprofessional misconduct and vows to take action to protect the constitutional rights of children to dignity, life and education.

Consequently, the department has started investigating some of these cases and will do so in collaboration with stakeholders and other departments like the SAPS.  The MEC urged communities and parents to unite against this terrible crime. 

“We call upon our school principals, educators and their unions together with SGBs to do everything humanly possible to protect children and expose teachers who abuse and victimise learners. Actions of this nature must be reported to the nearest office of the department and the police.  As the department we will always support all our learners facing this ordeal,” Gade emphasised.

Gade called upon the Judiciary to prioritise all cases relating to learner abuse.  “The speedy resolution of these cases is the best way of ensuring justice is served for the victim whether internally or by the police. There's a need for the Department of basic education, Department of safety, Department of health and Department of Justice to close any potential legal loopholes within the ecosystem of governance for one's justice on matters of this nature moving forward because of the criminal component of it beyond the internal disciplinary process of the Department of education. The past experiences must serve as a testimony on this question and arrests be made not just expulsions from work”.

ISSUED BY THE EASTERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

CONTACT:

Mrs. N Mgijima :   060 530 0348                                                                   

Mr. Malibongwe Mtima:    083 795 2117                                                                                                                          

A/Director for Communication and Events                                                           

Spokesperson; Education                                                                                          

 Email: nyameka.tokwe-mgijima@ecdoe.gov.za                                                   

Email:mali.mtima@ecdoe.gov.za