Text pest stays in classroom

A Cape Town teacher allegedly asked a 13-year-old pupil whether she would meet him in the bush, and declared his love for another pupil in a letter.

For this, Monde Satani, of Bardale Primary School, in Blue Downs, was fined R6000 and given a final written warning after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty of "improper and unbecoming behaviour". He continues to teach.

Unhappy with the outcome, Satani first complained to the Education Labour Relations Council, where an arbitrator dismissed his complaint. He then asked the Labour Court in Cape Town to review the case, saying the arbitrator had shown "bias and unreasonableness". His claim was dismissed last week.

In 2012, a 13-year-old complained that Satani had called her to his desk and asked for her cellphone number as well as whether she had a boyfriend, if she went out walking at night and whether she would meet him in the bush.

The girl said she responded: "No, teacher, I am scared."

He then allegedly told the Grade 6 pupil to "pull her socks up" because of her poor maths marks.

During the arbitration at the Education Labour Relations Council, two other pupils alleged that Satani took their phones and used them to send himself "please call me" messages.

One of the pupils said he gave her a letter in which he said he loved her and told her to write her reply in her exercise book.

Satani, a teacher at the school since 2011, denied all these claims. He said during the disciplinary proceedings that his actions were of a "trivial nature".

He said he had asked the first pupil for her mother's number because she was performing poorly. The arbitrator found that his explanations were not credible.

Christo Muller, who chaired Satani's initial disciplinary hearing, said the teacher's actions indicated that he "desired an inappropriate relationship" with the girl.

Dr Shaheda Omar, of the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children, said the punishment imposed "encourages other teachers".

"How can it be found that he is suitable to work with children? He could violate the boundaries again without getting caught."

Millicent Merton, spokeswoman for the Western Cape Department of Education, said: "The [department] had already taken prompt action against the employee."

Satani was unavailable for comment .