ONNIES IN HOF

WHILE the former Harvester Primary School teacher accused of sexual grooming had her case postponed at the Mitchell’s Plain Court yesterday, another Western Cape teacher was in the dock for sexual crimes against minors. 

In a disturbing case of grooming and assault, a Swellendam teacher, together with his friend, is facing a charge of statutory rape relating to two young boys, aged 15 and 16.

The case comes in the wake of the Education Labour Relations (ELRC) revealing that for the current financial year  April 1 2025 to date, it received six cases of alleged sexual misconduct in the Western Cape involving educators.

Their arrest comes as the ougat juffrou accused of sexual grooming of a child and exposing a child to explicit material made her latest appearance yesterday.

The 35-year-old ex-Grade R teacher, who is currently out on R5 000 bail, is accused of allegedly sending an explicit video of herself to a Grade 7 learner earlier this year.

But the matter could not proceed, as the original charge sheet was not available and was postponed to 24 October.

Education watchdogs and authorities said they were concerned with the growing increase of teachers involved in alleged sexual crimes against learners and called for a vetting process.

Meanwhile, the Swellendam teacher, who is a prominent figure in his community and in the realm of entertainment, may not be identified in order to protect the identities of the boys. 

The onnie made an appearance at the Swellendam Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of statutory rape together with his co-accused following their arrest on 6 October.

The State is set to prove that the accused, both the ages of 42, allegedly raped the victims at the Swellendam Cemetery.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed his arrest.

He explained: “Detectives attached to Caledon Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit arrested two 42-year-old men on 6 October 2025 in connection with the alleged rape of a 15-[year-old boy] and a 16-year-old boy at the Swellendam cemetery, perpetrated on the night of 5 October 2025.

“It is alleged that the boys were taken to the cemetery by the suspects where they consumed alcohol together. The suspects then shared and violated both boys.”

Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson, Millicent Merton said they were made aware of the case: "A complaint involving an educator was reported and is currently under investigation.”

Riedwaan Ahmed, Provincial Chief Executive Officer, National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) said they were alarmed.

He added: “NAPTOSA has noted with great concern and is deeply disturbed by the increase of reporting cases involving teachers accused of sexual offences against learners.

“It highlights the urgent need for stronger vetting processes, ongoing professional development on ethics and child protection, and to report misconduct without fear."

Vanessa le Roux of Parents for Equal Education (PEESA) called on the WCED to focus the incidents.

She said: "As an organisation, our biggest concern is how lightly the department is taking cases of sexual nature by teachers so lightly, to the point where they do absolutely nothing."