Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Education has suspended the deputy principal of Roosevelt High School in Johannesburg, following allegations of sexual assault against female learners.
The deputy principal allegedly sexually assaulted a female learner from another school in the area where he lives. On Friday, five learners at his school levelled allegations of sexual harassment against him at Parkview Police Station.
The department said that a case is being investigated and the female learners are receiving trauma counselling.
"Because of the seriousness of the allegations against him, we cannot have him return to school... if he is granted bail because he poses a threat to learners," the department said, adding that it is pursuing disciplinary charges against him.
Meanwhile, the department said that action has been taken against the acting principal of Volk Hoerskool in Heidelberg for failing to protect learners against reported incidents of racism.
"The department has completed its investigation into allegations of racism.
"MEC Barbara Creecy will meet the school governing body and the new principal within the next seven days to instruct them to charge learners who have allegations of racism levelled against them.
"She [Creecy] will also talk to them about putting together and implementing a plan to manage diversity and bringing about racial harmony at the school," said department spokesperson, Charles Phahlane.
