Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, says he is deeply concerned about allegations of sexual harassment involving an educator and a 17-year-old Grade 12 learner at Minerva Secondary School.
The allegations relate to alleged inappropriate communication between the educator and the learner, which reportedly began in June 2026 and continued through WhatsApp and other interactions. The matter was subsequently escalated to the Johannesburg East District for investigation.
Following preliminary investigations by the Gauteng Department of Education’s Labour Relations Unit, the educator has been placed on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of the formal investigation. Psychosocial support is also being provided to the affected learner.
Maile views the allegations in a serious light and maintains that the safety, dignity and wellbeing of learners must remain paramount, the department said.
“Educators occupy positions of trust and responsibility. Any allegation of inappropriate conduct towards a learner must be investigated thoroughly and without fear or favour. Our schools must remain safe spaces where learners are protected and respected,” said MEC Maile.
MEC Maile says he is equally concerned about the disruption of teaching and learning at the school.
On Tuesday, 18 August 2026, teaching and learning was significantly disrupted, with some learners prevented from entering the school premises. District officials, the School Management Team and the South African Police Service (SAPS) intervened to stabilise the situation.
“We understand the seriousness of the concerns raised. However, disrupting teaching and learning cannot be the solution. We must protect the affected learner while equally safeguarding the right of every learner to receive an education,” added MEC Maile.
Learners who were scheduled to write assessments and examinations were able to complete their academic activities. However, substantial teaching and learning time was lost, and the school will implement a recovery plan to address the lost academic time.
The allegations remain subject to a formal investigation and Maile called on all stakeholders to allow the investigation to proceed fairly and thoroughly, while maintaining stability and protecting teaching and learning at the school.
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