Parents call for principal's resignation after sexual abuse claims at Naturena Primary

Parents are demanding the removal of the principal of Naturena Primary School No. 2 in Johannesburg, accusing her of ignoring earlier complaints of sexual abuse involving pupils.

This comes as Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile demanded a comprehensive report from the school to establish how the allegations were handled, following protests by parents who have threatened to prevent the principal from entering the premises.

Police have opened an enquiry into allegations of rape and sexual assault involving two young boys at the school, with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit investigating the matter.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the allegations were reported by two parents at Mondeor police station on Monday, October 26.

"The allegations involve two victims (boys), aged 9 and 10, who were allegedly sexually assaulted at school by boys aged between 10 and 13," Sibeko confirmed.

She said investigations were continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged incidents. No arrests have been made.

The allegations sparked protests inside and outside the school on Monday, with parents accusing the principal of dismissing earlier complaints and failing to act when concerns were first raised.

According to the parents, the principal had been informed about an earlier incident but denied that any abuse had occurred at the school. They questioned why she was only encouraging families to approach the police after the matter escalated.

Some parents believe more children may have been affected and fear the alleged abuse could leave victims dealing with psychological trauma for years.

The protesters have demanded that Maile intervene and address their concerns, warning that they will return to the school if the principal remains in her position.

"We don't want to see her," one parent said, threatening to prevent the principal from entering the school.

The Gauteng Department of Education, meanwhile, confirmed that the learners implicated in the allegations had not been suspended.

Maile's spokesperson, Onwabile Lubhelwana, said those responsible for disciplinary hearings first needed to establish whether the identified pupils were responsible for the alleged incidents, as there had initially been no direct evidence.

"Precautionary measures have been taken, and the department is still determining whether to move them or not," Lubhelwana said.

Maile expressed serious concern about the allegations and said the department had requested a report detailing the school's response and whether the necessary procedures were followed.

"Sexual assault is an extremely serious matter that deserves the full attention, support and intervention of government."

The department is arranging counselling and psychosocial support for affected learners, their families, educators, and school staff.

However, Maile condemned the disruption of teaching and learning, warning that parents' right to protest must not interfere with children's access to education.

"The right to protest cannot be exercised at the expense of children's constitutional right to education."

He called on law enforcement authorities to act against unlawful conduct that prevents pupils from attending school.

Lubhelwana said teaching and learning were continuing, while the school has committed to implementing a curriculum recovery plan to make up for time lost during the protests.

When approached for comment, school governing body (SGB) representative Sipho Nkosi said the MEC had instructed them not to comment on the allegations until investigations were completed.

However, in earlier comments to IOL, Nkosi said the SGB was concerned about the allegations but maintained that the principal could not be removed without an investigation.

"There's no way you can remove the principal just like that, and people who were jumping up and down are parents who don't have learners at the school. So as the SGB, we are waiting for the investigation to be conducted," Nkosi said.

The department has appealed for restraint and urged the community to respect the privacy of the children involved while investigations continue.