Cape parents back 'sex trap' principal

A Cape Town community - enraged that their beloved principal was labelled a sex pest and dismissed by the province - took over his school and have been running it for weeks.

Andile Klaas was dismissed in January on several counts of sexual misconduct and harassment of teachers.

But residents of Wallacedene in Kraaifontein and the school governing body insist that Klaas was set up by pretty young teachers who wanted permanent posts at Imvumelwano Primary School.

The Western Cape education department is preparing to take back the school. Department head Penny Vinjevold wrote to the governing body to inform it of her intention to withdraw some of its functions. It has until Tuesday to respond.

The body, along with the community, "expelled" 11 teachers they allege were part of a conspiracy to oust Klaas.

The principal could not be reached for comment.

Governing body member Nora Tafafeni, 70, said: "The principal was accused of trying to force women to have affairs with him, but it is not true. We are going to fight, we are not going to stop because the parents here are so strong. We need [Basic Education Minister] Angie Motshekga to come because everyone, even the children, want the principal back."

When Klaas was dismissed on January 23, mayhem erupted. Education MEC Debbie Schäfer visited the school but the community locked her inside the premises.

Mike Wellem, a teacher, said the alleged plot against the principal started in 2012.

"Some teachers were on contract and feared they could lose their jobs, so they orchestrated the plan to push [him] out with the hope that a new principal would offer them permanent jobs. They sent one of the teachers, a young and attractive teacher ... to seduce him," said Wellem.

"She went to his office, made up a story about having marital problems and he responded: 'If you weren't someone else's wife, I'd certainly fall for you.' The teacher recorded the conversation and this was submitted to the department."

Wellem said the teacher " came to us and said: 'Forgive me, I was new here and the older teachers used me because I am younger and attractive.'"

Departmental records show this is not the first time Klaas has landed in hot water. In 2009 and 2011 he was found guilty of assaulting employees.

Schäfer said the department followed due process in handling the disciplinary process. After new evidence came to light that could influence the charges against him, she advised the principal to explore arbitration through the Education Labour Relations Council if he so wished.

Schäfer's spokeswoman, Jessica Shelver, said the department was working with the police, the department of community safety and their legal team to end the deadlock at the school.