Why was Harvester principal not arrested?

AS PARENTS for Equal Education question whether the Harvester Primary School principal will be among more people charged in the case of the teacher accused of sending explicit videos to a Grade 7 learner, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said all protocol has been followed.

The former Grade R teacher, who resigned when the scandal broke, is expected to make her next appearance in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court today for her formal bail application. 

She faces charges of sexual grooming of a child and exposing a child to explicit material 

Vanessa le Roux, from Parents For Equal Education, said they questioned why the principal did not face charges.

Le Roux asked: “Why is the principal not arrested yet?” 

She then added: “The DPP initiated charges against the principal, and the charge is defeating the ends of justice.

“While on the phone with the investigating officer [last Thursday] morning, he explained to me that they are still waiting for the docket to come back from the prosecutor.

“This also exposes the lies of the WCED,  when they say the principal did what she was supposed to do.

“The only duty on her was reporting the matter to SAPS and the WCED.

“She is not a police woman, what business did she have getting into her car, and demanding the victim’s cellphone?” 

But Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the WCED, said protocol was followed, explaining: “We are aware of the allegations made by Ms Le Roux, which the principal denies and the police are investigating.

“An affidavit detailing the exact timelines and the processes followed has been sent to the South African Police…” 

The Department of Justice said it was for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to comment on while the NPA said it was a police matter.