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The number of cases of sexual misconduct reported to the South African Council of Educators (SACE) has increased dramatically from 92 cases in 2019/20 to 169 in 2020/21 and 191 cases in 2021/22. The minister of basic education, Angie Motshekga, revealed this information in response to a parliamentary question from the DA.
“If you take into account that there were only 199 school days last year, this is almost one case of sexual offenses per day that was reported to SACE,” says Desiree van der Walt, the DA’s shadow deputy minister for basic education.
The crime statistics for 2022 indicated that a total of 294 cases of rape were reported that took place on premises where education is offered (schools, universities, colleges and day care centres).
“It is very disturbing that SACE instituted only 23 disciplinary hearings last year – this is only 12% of the number of cases of sexual misconduct. A total of 19 teachers were found guilty, but only four were suspended indefinitely.”
SACE indicated that some of the investigations should be closed due to a lack of evidence to substantiate the allegations, deliberate unavailability of complainants to cooperate with the investigation or disciplinary proceedings and witnesses who refused to cooperate with the council.
“The complainants’ reluctance to cooperate with SACE in their investigations or to discipline the alleged perpetrators indicates a perceived prejudice towards victims of abuse. SACE must take responsibility for this perception and make sure that disciplinary hearings are places where victims and witnesses feel safe, protected from further trauma and when evidence from both parties is examined, it must take place in an objective and sensitive way.”
Van der Walt says the DA also suggests that SACE take proper steps to better classify cases to make sure there is an efficient overview of processes and procedures. “Without a proper analysis of the data, no institution can gain access to its effectiveness. In a country where cases of sexual crimes are increasing, schools must be a safe haven where learners, teachers and staff only have to focus on quality education. SACE plays an essential role in holding offenders accountable and creating a safe environment. The council must ensure that victims of sexual violence are protected when they report the crimes and that perpetrators bear the consequences of their heinous acts.”
