Six Western Cape teachers struck off teachers’ register over sexual misconduct and learner abuse

SACE released its annual report, The cases involved schools in communities including Atlantis, Worcester, Kraaifontein, Ocean View and Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap.

Six teachers from Western Cape schools have been struck off the South African Council for Educators' (SACE) professional register for serious misconduct, with five cases involving sexual misconduct against learners, prompting the ANC to accuse the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) of systematic management and governance failures.

The findings, contained in SACE's 2025/26 annual report, have raised concerns about learner safety, educator accountability and delays in disciplinary proceedings.

The Western Cape accounted for six of the 17 educators struck off nationally.

Among the schools identified was Wesfleur Primary School in Avondale, Atlantis, where a teacher was struck off for sexual grooming of a learner.

At Vusisizwe Secondary School in Zweletemba, Worcester, the offence involved sexual assault of a learner, while Hector Peterson Secondary School in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, was linked to a sexual relationship with and sexual assault of a learner.

Jupiter Street Primary School in Ocean View was identified in a case involving indecent assault towards learners.

At De Villiers Primary School, whose locality was not specified in the report, the misconduct involved a sexual relationship and communication with a learner.

The sixth case involved St Paul's Primary School in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, where a teacher was struck off for assaulting and verbally abusing learners.

The report does not identify the educators or specify when the offences occurred.

ANC Western Cape provincial legislature opposition leader Khalid Sayed said the findings reinforced longstanding concerns about the WCED's handling of educator misconduct.

"We are extremely concerned. We have been raising this concern consistently. It paints a worrying picture of the WCED's inability to identify, investigate and prevent sexual misconduct. This is a another example of systematic management and governance failures by the WCED leadership."

Asked whether the provincial government was exercising sufficient oversight to prevent educators found guilty of serious misconduct from returning to classrooms, Sayed responded: "No".

He confirmed that the ANC would pursue a detailed report or legislative investigation into misconduct cases, disciplinary outcomes, criminal referrals and learner protection measures during adjustment budget engagements.

Nationally, SACE recorded 831 misconduct complaints during the financial year, the highest number in its history.

Recurring complaints included corporal punishment, sexual abuse of learners, assaults involving colleagues, fraudulent qualifications and other unprofessional conduct.

The council reported processing 384 investigations and mediations involving carried-over cases, against a target of 600.

A further 91 disciplinary hearings were finalised against a target of 120, with staffing shortages contributing to delays.

Only one of the 17 finalised striking-off sanctions was submitted to an employer during the reporting year, with the remaining 16 submitted in the following financial year.

Education Union of South Africa (EUSA) representative Andre de Bruyn said more preventative measures  are needed.

"We cannot rely on disciplinary action alone. Learner protection requires proactive measures, effective reporting mechanisms, proper vetting and stronger oversight by SACE and provincial education departments. Delays in disciplinary investigations are unacceptable, particularly where learners could remain exposed."

However, De Bruyn warned against treating allegations as automatic proof of guilt.

"At the same time, we must guard against creating a system in which an allegation automatically translates into guilt. Educators are also entitled to fair treatment, impartial investigations and due process."

He stressed that protecting learners and ensuring fairness towards accused educators were both essential.

"Protecting learners and safeguarding the rights of educators are not mutually exclusive. Both are essential to a just and functional education system."

SACE acknowledged that disciplinary proceedings were largely coordinated from its Gauteng head office, contributing to delays in provincial cases.

The council is considering decentralising ethics functions and strengthening cooperation with provincial education departments.

The Western Cape Education Department did not respond to questions from the Cape Argus regarding the findings, disciplinary action taken against the educators and measures in place to protect learners from misconduct and abuse.