Action Society calls for all teacher assistants to provide police clearance when applying for teaching positions.
This comes after the rape case of a 17-year-old minor by a 24-year old male and his “friend”. The incident took place in October 2021, at iHlumelo Secondary School, in Mbekweni, Paarl.
“South Africa is facing a youth unemployment rate of 74% and though we acknowledge there is a serious need for jobs, we cannot ignore the dangers of allowing individuals with no police clearance to work with minors,” said Kelly Baloyi, spokesperson for Action Society.
In December 2020, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) began the first phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative. The initiative employed 320 000 individuals as either Teacher Assistants or General Education Assistants throughout the country.
Western Cape Police Spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk said: “though the incident took place in October 2021, on Monday January 23, a rape case docket was registered.
“The gruesome details of this case is alarming. There is a serious need to improve the safety of learners at schools,” added Baloyi.
The suspect appeared at Paarl Magistrate Court on Thursday, January 27. The arrest of the second suspect is yet to be confirmed.
Action Society encourages schools to apply for a National Register for Sex Offenders clearance certificate and request a police clearance certificate before employing potential candidates.
