We commend the swift response by the Eastern Cape Department of Education, which has deployed officials to Nozuko Senior Secondary School in Mthatha and committed to a full investigation following serious allegations of sexual abuse involving a teacher and a learner.
While we acknowledge this rapid intervention, this matter remains deeply concerning and unacceptable. Any form of abuse or exploitation of learners is a gross violation of children’s rights and a betrayal of the duty of care that schools and educators are entrusted with.
As an organisation that works closely with children and young adults, it is our duty and responsibility to protect all children and ensure that their rights, dignity, and safety are always prioritised.
As we observe Child Protection Month, led by the Department of Social Development, this incident reinforces the urgent need to strengthen prevention systems, not only response mechanisms. Child protection must be proactive, not reactive.
We further emphasise that safeguarding must begin long before any incident occurs. Anyone working in close contact with children or other vulnerable groups must undergo rigorous vetting, continuous screening, and safeguarding training to ensure they are fit to work in such environments. These processes must not be treated as a once-off administrative requirement, but as an ongoing safeguard to protect learners.
Weak or inconsistent vetting systems create dangerous gaps that allow individuals who may pose a risk to remain within institutions unchecked. These gaps must be urgently closed.
It is also critical to recognise that cases of this nature are rarely isolated. In many instances, harm unfolds over time, enabled by silence, fear, power imbalances, or systemic failures to identify early warning signs. This underscores the need for stronger monitoring systems, accessible reporting channels, and decisive accountability when concerns are raised.
As Soul City Institute, we call for:
- Mandatory, strengthened, and consistently enforced vetting for all individuals working with children
- Regular safeguarding audits in schools and education institutions
- Clear, confidential, and accessible reporting mechanisms for learners and communities
- Swift and firm consequences for institutions that fail to act on warning signs
- Survivor-centred responses that prioritise protection, dignity, psychosocial support, and justice
Children’s rights, dignity, and safety are non-negotiable. Schools must remain safe spaces for learning, growth, and protection not places where harm is enabled or overlooked.
