Learning was interrupted at a school in Umlazi, KwaZulu Natal, yesterday when angry parents flocked to the school demanding that a teacher who is accused of sexually abusing girls be fired.

SEXUAL ABUSE CLAIMS

The principal at Sikhwelo Primary School was forced to the school gate to prevent the parents from entering the school premises. The parents who wanted to storm the school's premises accused the school's principal of protecting the said sex pest teacher. "This is the second time that the principal has come to the rescue of the said teacher. We are sick and tired of the excuses that are being made by the principal. We just want the teacher gone. More kids have come forward to say that he has been touching them on their private parts," said one parent. The parents also says that the 28-year-old teacher targets grade 6 and 7 learners and touches them inappropriately. Another parent said: "The first complain about the teacher was made last year and we requested a meeting with the principal and the said educator, but we were never granted that meeting. The teacher was not there on that day. We believe the principal is protecting him. But they should both know that we will not rest until he is out of that school,"

VIDEO CLIP

ZiMoja is in possession of a video clip that shows the parents engaging with the principal on the matter at the school gate. Addressing the teacher, one parent said that yesterday was the second time that they went to the school hoping the matter would be resolved. "All we want is for the teacher to be expelled or be removed from this school because he is sexual abusing the young girls. Last we came here, he ran away from us." The principal said he needed two of the parents to get inside the school premises so that they could lay formal complaints. KZN Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi confirmed the incident. "The district director has directed the circuit manager to investigate this matter and table the report before 12:00 today. We, in the same token, appeal to the parents to leave the matter to us to deal with it," he said.