Browsing: Curtis Nkondo School

A Grade 11 learner says an educator made an inappropriate sexual remark, but the educator denies any wrongdoing. The Gauteng Department of Education will investigate more allegations involving other educators and possible failures by officials to respond. The department says precautionary steps may be considered, but no one has been found guilty yet. Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has ordered an urgent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving educators and learners at Curtis Nkondo School of Specialisation in Emdeni, Soweto. In a media statement on 12 August 2026, Maile said the Gauteng Department of Education was treating the allegations with the utmost seriousness because they affect the safety, dignity and wellbeing of learners. The department said information from the school showed that on Friday 7 August 2026, the principal sent a sexual harassment complaint involving an educator to the Johannesburg Central District Dispute Management Office and asked for urgent help. The department said the complaint was officially brought to the principal’s attention on the same day. Allegation and denial The complaint is about a Grade 11 learner’s claim that an educator made an inappropriate sexual remark to her during the second term. The learner’s written account says she felt offended and hurt after realising what the remark meant. The department said a second learner who was there during the incident gave a statement that largely backed up the allegation. The educator involved has denied making inappropriate remarks and has given his own written version of what happened, including the meeting at the principal’s office. Wider concerns at the school The department also noted wider concerns raised by learner groups and the school community that other educators might be involved in separate allegations with learners. Maile said the department would not present claims about the number of educators allegedly implicated as fact until the investigation determined how many complaints had formally been lodged, who was implicated in each complaint, when incidents were reported and what action was taken. The investigation will also look at claims that some complaints about inappropriate behaviour may go back to 2022. The department said school and district records would be checked to see if complaints were made during that time, who they were reported to, how they were handled and whether officials did what they were supposed to do. Possible action against officials The statement said that if evidence shows a complaint about a learner’s safety was reported, and an official did nothing, tried to hide it, discouraged reporting or failed to protect learners, the department would take action. Maile said the investigation must not be confined to the most recently reported incident. He said the department must find out whether other learners raised similar allegations, whether those matters were brought to school management or departmental officials, and what action followed. Learners urged to come forward The department said learners who report sexual harassment or other misconduct may fear intimidation, retaliation or not being believed, and that every learner who comes forward must be treated with dignity, care and confidentiality. It also revealed that learner wellbeing at the school had previously required help from the department and psychosocial support. Department records show that a psychosocial team visited the school in April 2026 after a Grade 12 learner died, and offered support and opportunities for learners to talk about their experiences. According to the statement, learners said educators should get similar support and that they sometimes felt misunderstood or dismissed. No findings yet Maile said precautionary steps could be taken against any implicated employee if needed, but stressed that these steps are there to protect learners and the investigation, and should not be seen as findings of guilt. He said the department would carry on working with the school, Johannesburg Central District officials, learner groups, learner-support structures and, if necessary, law enforcement and child-protection authorities. Maile said the department’s job is to protect learners, find out the truth and ensure accountability, and that every learner in a Gauteng school must know their dignity, safety and right to education are non-negotiable. Conviction.co.za Get your news on the go. Click here to follow the Conviction WhatsApp channel.

What's Hot

10 landmark Constitutional Court cases that changed South African law

Bliss Brands must withdraw Securex packaging nationwide within 15 working days

The six lawyers shaping the evidence at the Madlanga Commission

Browsing: Curtis Nkondo School

Gauteng orders urgent probe into sexual misconduct allegations at Curtis Nkondo School

Making sectional title rules that work: A practical guide

Protection order among the consequences of trespassing in an ‘Exclusive Use Area’

Between a rock and a foul-smelling place

Irregular levy increases, mismanagement, and legal threats in a sectional title scheme

10 landmark Constitutional Court cases that changed South African law

Bliss Brands must withdraw Securex packaging nationwide within 15 working days

The six lawyers shaping the evidence at the Madlanga Commission

Voting disqualification in sectional title scheme body corporates

Latest posts

Making sectional title rules that work: A practical guide

Protection order among the consequences of trespassing in an ‘Exclusive Use Area’

Between a rock and a foul-smelling place

OUR PICKS

Can a housing estate legally scan your driving licence in South Africa?

Full Court overturns removal of Kempton Park Chief Magistrate Judith van Schalkwyk

Romance scam money ultimately cost Standard Bank forensic investigator her job

Subscribe to Updates

What's Hot

Browsing: Curtis Nkondo School