The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has initiated an urgent inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct involving educators and learners at Curtis Nkondo School of Specialisation in Emdeni, Soweto.
Investigation ordered by MEC
Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile directed the probe after the school formally submitted a complaint to the Johannesburg Central District Dispute Management Office on 7 August. The complaint originated with a Grade 11 learner who reported that an educator made an inappropriate sexual remark during the second term.
"The allegations are being treated with the seriousness they deserved," the department said.
The learner provided a written account of the interaction and said she felt offended and hurt after understanding the remark's meaning. A second learner who said she witnessed the incident filed a statement that the department says substantially supported the first account. The educator has denied making any inappropriate comments and has submitted a written response describing the meeting with the principal.
Scope of the probe
Officials said the investigation will examine school and district records to establish a full chronology and scope. Specifically, the department intends to determine:
- How many formal complaints have been lodged;
- Which educators are implicated;
- The nature and timing of each allegation, and how they were handled;
- Whether any complaints predate 2023, including claims that some matters may go back to 2022.
GDE emphasised it will not treat rumours or unverified claims about multiple implicated teachers as fact while the probe is under way.
School community concerns
According to the material submitted by the school, learner formations and members of the school community raised broader concerns suggesting that other teachers may be involved in separate incidents. The department said those reports have been noted and will be investigated as part of the wider probe.
Parents and community members in Emdeni told local channels they want swift clarity and transparent action from education authorities. Many expressed frustration that allegations involving learners can sometimes take time to surface and to be properly addressed.
What the department can and cannot do
The GDE's internal inquiry will consider disciplinary avenues within the education system, review past responses to complaints and assess whether policies and reporting procedures were followed. Where allegations amount to criminal conduct or where victims request police involvement, criminal investigations may be opened by SAPS; the department did not say whether SAPS had been engaged at this stage.
School governing bodies, district offices and the Dispute Management Office will be required to provide records and witness statements. The department's process is aimed at establishing facts before recommending administrative or disciplinary action.
| Issue | What investigators will check |
|---|---|
| Number of complaints | School and district records; formal statements |
| Identification of educators | Names in complaints and corroborating evidence |
| Timing | When incidents occurred and when reported (possible complaints since 2022) |
| Actions taken | Records of disciplinary or remedial steps previously taken |
Practical information for concerned parents and learners
Parents and learners who believe they have information relevant to the probe should approach the school or the Johannesburg Central District office. The Dispute Management Office handles employment-related complaints in schools; separate channels exist for reporting criminal offences to SAPS. The department has urged anyone with information to come forward so investigators can build a full picture.
School safety and dignity of learners are central to the department’s mandate, and the GDE said every allegation will be subject to a thorough and fair process. For many families in Soweto the announcement is a reminder of long-standing worries about safeguarding in schools and the need for clear, rapid responses when allegations surface.
The investigation is ongoing and the department did not provide a timeline for concluding its inquiry or for any subsequent steps. I will continue to monitor developments and report updates as they become available from the GDE and the school community.
