Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane has called on the Northern Cape Department of Education to take action against teachers and staff accused of sexual assault across the province.
Maimane, along with several parents and supporters, set up a picket outside the ministry's offices to raise concerns about sexual crimes in schools.
Last year, parents of children who were allegedly sexually assaulted by a principal at a state school around 2018 picketed outside the ministry's offices, demanding that the issue be prioritized.
Maimane insists that perpetrators of sexual assault should be promptly investigated and fired.
“For the Department of Education to know about the allegations, hide the report, promote teachers and transfer them to different schools is a secondary crime to me, and in this case the Department is complicit in violations against children. There will be.”
Today's BOSA Leader, @mmusimaimanealong with BOSA candidates, picketed outside the Northern Cape Education Department in Kimberley.
The pickets were in solidarity with parents and families demanding justice and action against several ordinary teachers and principals… pic.twitter.com/eO3g2fg6Ku
— Bossa (@BuildOneSA) April 17, 2024
The Northern Cape Department of Education slammed Maimane's approach, despite a promise to comply with the request based on a memorandum of understanding given to it. The ministry accuses BOSA of engaging in cheap political activities.
The department's chief commissioner, Alistair Andrews, said he was aware of concerns being raised about incidents of sexual assault in the state.
“We have addressed many of the issues that have been raised. The issue you have raised about sexual offenders in schools is also of concern to the department and we will look into it.”