Statistics on cases referred to the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) show that most cases of sexual assault on pupils involving teachers were from KwaZulu-Natal.
The ELRC confirmed that for the 2024-25 financial year, KZN was the highest referring province with 25 cases, followed by Eastern Cape with 20, and Gauteng with 18.
According to the ELRC, 114 cases of sexual misconduct involving teachers were referred to the council between April 1 2024 and March 31 2025, with 40 teachers found guilty during the period.
About 85% — 40 out of the 47 cases — found in favour of the employer and led to dismissal.
In recent weeks, there has been a spike in reports of teachers sexually assaulting pupils, with some cases sparking disruptions at schools.
At Prinshof School for the Blind in Pretoria, a teacher allegedly sexually assaulted a pupil during music lessons, leading to a police case and calls for his suspension.
At Bronkhorstspruit Primary School, a teacher was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a learner. At Tiyelelani Secondary School in Soshanguve, the principal was accused of raping and impregnating a learner, prompting community protests and urgent calls for action.
The Gauteng education department (GED) announced his temporary removal, and the allegations are now under investigation by authorities.
Six former pupils from St Bernard's High School in Bochabela, Free State, have accused teachers of sexual harassment and opened criminal cases. The allegations surfaced after a viral social media post encouraged people to share their experiences, prompting investigations.
The council said pupils involved in reported cases range from primary school to secondary school age.
“Once an educator is found guilty of sexual misconduct, the ELRC submits the award to the provincial department of education, which is then required to block the educator on Persal. The award is also shared with SACE [the South African Council for Educators] for the possible removal of the perpetrator’s name from the register of educators. In addition, the names of educators found guilty are submitted to the department of social development for inclusion in the Child Protection Register,” it said.
The council said departments employing educators are responsible for vetting candidates against both the Child Protection Register and the National Register for Sex Offenders before they are permitted to teach.
“These measures are in place to ensure that such educators are not reappointed. Disciplinary processes are not without their challenges. Though the council schedules cases in a timely manner and on a continuous basis, a number of factors can lead to cases not being finalised within the shortest space of time. These factors include the complexity of the case, the unavailability of witnesses, school closure periods and issues related to learner fatigue during the process. As a result, cases may be adjourned multiple times; and the involvement or use of lawyers by parties to the dispute can also contribute to delays in the resolution of cases,” it said.
DA Gauteng shadow MEC for education Sergio Isa Dos Santos said sexual abuse allegations at two schools expose the Gauteng government's failure to implement a thorough vetting process of teachers and staff.
“This negligence has compromised learner safety and created a dangerous environment that is both traumatic and hindering the learning process. What is more concerning is the claim that in at least one of these cases, the school was informed of the incident as early as 2024, but took no action. This failure to act not only shows gaps in safeguarding learners but also undermines trust between parents, learners, and school leadership,” he said.
He has repeatedly raised concerns about the department's inability to adequately vet educators and all other personnel working in schools against both the Child Protection Register and the National Register for Sex Offenders.
“Our concerns have clearly been ignored, and this has allowed potential offenders to slip through the cracks of a flawed vetting process. It is high time that MEC Chiloane walks the talk on learner safety. He must immediately suspend the implicated educators and ensure that the legal process is followed. There can be no tolerance for delays or cover-ups when the wellbeing of children is at stake,” Dos Santos said.
The party said it would table questions to the MEC to ascertain the steps, if any, taken by GDE to strengthen vetting procedures.
“Transparency is essential if the public is to have any confidence in the department’s ability to protect learners,” he said.
Meanwhile, civic movement Soil of Africa is demanding justice for the survivor of sexual assault at the Sishanguve school.
“Allegations of rape must be taken with utmost seriousness. The teacher implicated must be suspended immediately pending the outcome of a full and fair investigation,” said Soil of Africa chairperson Bongani King Ramontja.
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