How teachers dodge sex raps

Bribes of cash and even bags of groceries are sometimes enough to get teachers who sexually abuse pupils off the hook.

Thembinkosi Ndhlovu, communications manager for the SA Council for Educators, said it was difficult to bring rotten teachers to book because they often bribed parents into preventing children from testifying against them.

An average of about 100 cases of sexual abuse are reported to the council every year.

This information was contained in a response in parliament from Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to a question asked by DA MP Sonja Boshoff about the prevalence of abuse in schools.

"Of the 126 cases reported in 2011-2012, 55 of them remain unresolved. This is disturbing," said Boshoff.

"The finalisation rate of cases remains unsatisfactory, with a large number of investigations carried over into the following year owing to parents limiting SACE's access to children," Boshoff said.

The council conducts its own investigations and hearings and has offenders struck from the teacher s' roll.

Offenders are added to the Child Protection Register. Police are also notified.

Ndhlovu said the finalisation of cases was hampered not only by bribery, but there were also parents who feared for their children's safety if they testified.

"We ensure the child is protected in the hearing. The child does not see the perpetrator. We also call on the department to put the teacher on precautionary suspension," he said.

"Bribery of parents involves money and even promises of groceries. We say to parents, please do not sell the lives of your children for material benefit."

Ndhlovu said the most common problem was teachers having sexual relationships with pupils, some as young as 12.

He said investigators and officers would undergo further training this week.

The council wishes to have investigators in all provinces.

Western Cape education MEC Debbie Schafer has launched an investigation into claims that children are playing "rape, rape" games at school. Boys chase girls and pretend to rape them.

"We will do whatever we can to educate our learners that this behaviour is not on," said Schafer.