'ONNIE PINCHED LAAITIE'S PRIVATES'

A teacher assistant has been dismissed from Silverstream Primary School in Manenberg for allegedly pinching primary school learners on their private parts as a form of ‘discipline’.

A group of parents whose children fell victim to the assault raised the allegations with the school.

An outraged mother said that her 11-year-old Fifth Grader was geknuip last week when he tried to stick up for a girl in his class.

The mother told the Daily Voice: “When my son came home from school that day, he just said that he is going back to school.

"When I went to look for him at the school I saw the other parents. There were more than 10 children who were touched by the assistant teacher. 

"My son explained to me that the assistant teacher in his class pinched his private parts. When I asked why, he said it was because the assistant teacher touched the girl’s behind.

"Then he wanted to touch her front and that was when my son jumped in front of her, so the assistant teacher pinched him.

"The school said we need to leave it in their hands and that the assistant teacher has been flagged by the education department and he cannot work with children anymore.

"That is nothing for him because he is basically getting away and our children are traumatised. All the parents went to the police station and we opened a case.”

She alleges that the assistant teacher would pinch the children on their private parts as a form of discipline when the teacher is not in the class and would allegedly watch porn in the classroom.

Bronagh Hammond from the Western Cape Education Department confirmed that they are aware of the allegations and said the assistant teacher has resigned.

She said: "These are very concerning allegations. On Thursday, 20 August, a group of parents raised the allegations. The school immediately took action and confronted the teacher assistant.

"The assistant is employed through the Basic Education Employment Initiative. (The Presidential Youth Employment Initiative implemented as the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI).

"The school initiated the Abuse no More protocols and informed the district social worker.

"The school met with the parents and informed them of their right to report the matter to SAPS. Charges have been laid.  

"A request was made by the school to terminate the contract, with the BEEI co-ordinator advising on the various relevant procedures. The alleged promptly resigned and is no longer at the school. 

Counselling support is being made available for the learners. The alleged conduct of the assistant is completely unacceptable, and full co-operation will be provided to the police in terms of their investigation.”