The preliminary report Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi received on the findings at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen has confirmed cases of violence and will consolidate that report with the sexual harassment allegations made previously.
Lesufi yesterday on Monday convened a series of meetings at the high school in Randfontein.
He was joined by the School Management Team (SMT), School Governing Body (SGB) and parents to discuss the findings from the investigations done against allegations of racism and sexual assault.
The outcomes of the report were presented by a representative of Specialised Security Services, Luke Enslin.
This private investigative company was hired by the school to investigate what transpired at the school back in February 2022.
Enslin deduced that some learners and third-parties (outsiders not identified by the SMT and SGB) have been involved in the initial fighting and escalation of violence at the school.
The results were conducted through interviews and receiving statements from various parties during their investigations.
The investigations spokesperson recommended that disciplinary processes against the identified and new culprits proceed.
Furthermore, he advised that “the school establish a grievance committee to manage conflict and prevent it from spiralling out of control”.
More recommendations to cultivate peace and inclusivity were made.
These include that the school implement diversity programmes and trainings for the different learners to understand
one another better and not normalise violence and fighting.
To protect the sensitive nature of this case, names of the implicated persons were not shared.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) made note of some learners in the school exuding ill-mannered behaviour and disrespect towards educators since the incident in question occurred.
The department has warned that such conduct will not be tolerated in schools and urged parents to instil discipline in their children.
The GDE’s Legal Services Unit will further “consolidate [the] preliminary report with a previous report of sexual harassment and an outstanding report from the South African Human Right Commission”.
The work plan aimed at assisting the school to implement the abovementioned recommendations will be shared with the school community.
Lesufi said that the methods chosen are in pursuit to a “reconciliatory, unifying and non-racial South African approach”.
He added, “Those that want to reverse the reconciliation and social cohesion agenda, and everything that we have done to build this South Africa will be isolated because the majority wants to live in a country where we all respect each other’s rights.”
