Johannesburg - Parktown Boys' High School's governing body on
Monday denied claims that it never informed the Gauteng education department
about sexual assault claims against a teacher.
The school immediately informed
its governing body and police of the incident, SGB chairperson Nicholas Greyling said in a statement on Monday.
The Gauteng education
department was informed the following day, on November 4, 2016.
On November 3, a teacher looking
at CCTV camera footage of the school's hostel, saw an assistant boarding master
making inappropriate physical contact with a boy in a common room.
Police were contacted and the alleged perpetrator
was arrested that evening.
"He has since been charged
with sexual abuse of minors and is awaiting trial. The school banned him from
the property pending a hearing, but he resigned with immediate effect."
Failed
to report
Counselling and psychological
support were provided to the pupils and
the school was keeping parents informed.
A senior official with the
department's psychological services visited the school and was working closely
with it. The school was ensuring "maximum protection" for the
affected pupils.
Greyling said the school did not tolerate crime or threats to its pupils.
"We are co-operating with
authorities to ensure the full might of the law is enforced."
The department on Monday said it would find out why the school had failed to
report the matter and the extent of the
sex abuse at the school.
"The department became
aware only after the issue became public. The failure by the school to report
these serious allegations smack of an attempt to sweep them under the
carpet."
The Sunday Times reported this
weekend that more than 20 pupils, aged between 15 and 16, had accused the
school's assistant boarding master of sexual assault.
