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17 Oct, 2025
A teacher’s betrayal: UDMYV demands justice for exploited young women
Statement by Zintombi Sododile, Chairperson of United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard (UDM Youth Vanguard) expresses its deep outrage at revelations that a teacher from the Eastern Cape stands accused of preying on young women through a trafficking and sexual exploitation ring. It is alleged that this educator targeted women from rural towns such as Qumbu, Mthatha and Ngqeleni, transported them to East London, and exploited their vulnerability for profit under the pretence of offering accommodation and opportunity. Although the investigation reportedly began in September 2023, it has taken more than a year for the matter to reach court. It remains unclear whether the delay lies with the police, the prosecution, or both, but it reflects a wider concern about how cases involving the exploitation of women and children are handled. The slow pace of justice deepens the trauma of survivors and weakens public confidence in law enforcement. The UDM Youth Vanguard calls for clarity and accountability from all institutions involved in the handling of this case. This case exposes a shocking abuse of authority and a moral collapse within an institution meant to nurture and protect the youth. When a teacher, entrusted with guiding the next generation, becomes a perpetrator of such heinous crimes, it betrays the trust of families, communities, and the education system itself. The UDM Youth Vanguard condemns this reprehensible conduct in the strongest terms and demands: 1. The swift and uncompromising prosecution of all those implicated in this trafficking network. 2. An immediate internal investigation by the Department of Education to determine how this went undetected. 3. Comprehensive psychosocial support and protection for all affected survivors. 4. The introduction of stricter vetting and ethics oversight for educators and school staff. 5. A national awareness campaign on human trafficking and sexual exploitation targeting schools and communities. We call on the Minister of Basic Education and the Minister of Police to treat this case as a wake-up call. South Africa cannot allow those entrusted with public service to use their positions to exploit the poor and the powerless. We cannot build a just society while predators hide behind positions of trust. The UDMYV pledges to raise awareness among young people about their rights, to support survivors in seeking justice, and to continue speaking out against abuse wherever it occurs. Every child deserves safety, respect, and a future free from exploitation.
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24 Sep, 2025
UDESMO calls for justice and protection for learners across South Africa!
Statement by Lucia Matomane, UDESMO Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) is horrified by the continuing violation of children in schools by those who are meant to protect them. The recent flood of cases, from St John’s College in Mthatha (Eastern Cape), to Tiyelelani Secondary in Soshanguve (Gauteng), from St Bernard High in Bloemfontein (Free State), to Thubalethu Secondary in Pinetown (KwaZulu-Natal), and Sunward Park High in Boksburg (Gauteng), shows that what should be a place of learning has become a hunting ground for predators hiding behind the title of “teacher.” We cannot pretend these are isolated incidents. Girls as young as 12 and 14 are being preyed upon. They are being impregnated, forced into abortions, infected with diseases, and threatened into silence. These crimes are ripping futures away from young people before their lives have even begun. The pain and anger of learners are boiling over. When pupils are forced to protest and shut down schools just to be heard, it shows the system has failed them. The silence of adults who should act faster is part of the problem. But there are signs that justice can prevail. In one case, a teacher who impregnated a learner, infected her with HIV, and then tried to escape responsibility was struck off the roll and ordered by a court to pay maintenance. That is what it looks like when the law works — but it should never take this long, and it should never be the exception. UDESMO demands more than words of sympathy. We demand: • No bail for accused teachers; our children’s lives matter more than the freedom of predators. • Swift prosecutions and maximum sentences for offenders. • Educators found guilty of sexual offences against learners must be struck off the roll and permanently listed the National Child Protection Register. • Real support for survivors in the form of counselling, protection, and dignity. We say enough is enough. Our schools must be safe. Our teachers must be trustworthy. And our generation refuses to accept a future where classrooms are places of fear.
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25 Sep, 2025
UDMYV demands justice at JS Skenjana Senior Secondary School
Statement by Zintombi Sododile, Chairperson of United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard (UDM Youth Vanguard) in the Eastern Cape is appalled by the allegations of sexual harassment and drug abuse at JS Skenjana Senior Secondary School in Dutywa. We stand in solidarity with the victims and condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms. A former learner from JS Skenjana Senior Secondary School recently took to social media to expose teachers who, despite serious allegations of sexual abuse, remain employed at the school. She stated that these allegations have been public knowledge for years, yet no decisive action has been taken. The UDM Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape finds this deeply disturbing and demands that the Department of Education act without delay to address these matters. We call on all learners who have experienced or witnessed any form of abuse to come forward and report these cases to law enforcement, especially if they fear intimidation. We assure all learners of our unwavering support and will stand with you throughout the process. We note that, tragically, one of the teachers implicated in these allegations, reportedly, suffered a heart attack upon discovering he was trending on social media for his involvement. While we cannot verify the circumstances surrounding his death, our focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and preventing such incidents in the future. The UDM Youth Vanguard of the Eastern Cape demands that the Department of Education and the South African Police Service (SAPS) take immediate and decisive action to protect learners and hold perpetrators accountable. We will closely monitor this situation and advocate for the rights and dignity of learners to be safeguarded. In addition, the selling of drugs to learners in a nearby field is a serious concern that requires immediate attention from law enforcement. We urge the SAPS to increase patrols and ensure the safety of learners. UDM Youth Vanguard of the Eastern Cape welcomes the Eastern Cape Department of Education investigations into multiple cases of alleged sexual abuse across several schools in the province, and MEC Fundile Gade condemnation of such acts, as well as his vow to take decisive action to protect children's constitutional rights. We also welcome Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announcement that urgent steps to address reports of sexual abuse and disruptions to teaching in schools across the Eastern Cape will be taken. The UDM Youth Vanguard of the Eastern Cape’s key demands: • Immediate action from law enforcement to protect learners and hold perpetrators accountable. • Swift and decisive action from the Department of Education to investigate and address the allegations, • Increased patrols and safety measures to prevent drug sales and abuse, • Support and protection for victims and witnesses, • Implementation of comprehensive safety protocols in schools to prevent future incidents. • Mandatory training for educators and staff on identifying and reporting abuse. • Regular monitoring and evaluation of school safety measures. We believe that every learner has the right to a safe and supportive learning environment, free from fear and intimidation. The UDM Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape fully aligns with our mother body, the United Democratic Movement, in its stance of zero tolerance for any form of abuse or sexual misconduct, particularly within educational institutions.
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22 Sep, 2025
Schools must be safe: UDM calls out national scandal of sexual abuse
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is outraged and heartbroken by the recent reports of sexual abuse, harassment and misconduct involving educators across our country. In just the past month, cases have surfaced in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State which exposes a deep and systemic crisis in our education system. Recent incidents show the scale of this scourge. In Gauteng, teachers at Tiyelelani Secondary in Soshanguve were removed after protests exposed a pattern of sexual assault, while at Sunward Park High in Boksburg a teacher was dismissed for abusing pupils. In Bronkhorstspruit, a deputy principal faces charges of raping a nine-year-old and was let free on bail. In the Eastern Cape, St John’s College in Mthatha saw mass protests after allegations that teachers impregnated pupils and forced them into abortions, while further cases have surfaced in Dutywa and surrounding schools. In KwaZulu-Natal, teachers at Thubalethu Secondary in Pinetown are under investigation for molesting learners, while in Kokstad a teacher was arrested with weapons and stolen vehicles which raises further questions about vetting and oversight. In the Free State, learners from St Bernard High in Bloemfontein used social media to expose years of harassment by teachers, including explicit images and physical advances. These are not isolated cases. They reveal how schools across South Africa are failing in their most basic duty which is to keep children safe. Too often it has taken pupil protests, community outrage or viral social media posts for authorities to act. This points to a pattern of systemic neglect and silence. The UDM is clear. South African children cannot wait another day for change. We therefore demand urgent interventions. 1. Mandatory reporting of all allegations of sexual misconduct, with consequences for any adult who covers up such cases. 2. Immediate suspension and vetting of accused educators pending investigations, with permanent deregistration for those found guilty. 3. Swift criminal prosecutions that treat these cases with the seriousness they deserve, ensuring perpetrators are jailed and not quietly dismissed. 4. No bail for accused educators or authority figures facing charges of sexual abuse against learners. Allowing them back into communities, places children at further risk and undermines faith in the justice system. 5. Psychosocial support through counsellors and social workers permanently based in schools. 6. Accountability for principals and school governing bodies who fail to act, since inaction enables abuse to continue. Schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not sites of trauma. Our children’s right to safety and dignity is non-negotiable and the UDM will continue to press for systemic reforms to end this national shame.
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24 Apr, 2025
UDM Eastern Cape shocked by sexual abuse cases in our schools; tougher laws and real accountability needed
Statement by Bulelani Bobotyane, Provincial Secretary of the UDM in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the Eastern Cape is shocked and angered by reports that nearly 30 educators in the Eastern Cape including five principals and two deputy principals, have been implicated in sexual offences involving learners in just the past year. This includes cases of sexual harassment, sexual assault and inappropriate relationships with pupils, many of whom are minors. This is a disgrace and a betrayal of trust by those meant to educate and protect our children. Schools should be safe places for learning and growth, not hunting grounds for sexual predators. The UDM in the Eastern Cape strongly believes that dismissal is not enough, there must be harsher punishments for perpetrators of such crimes. We are calling for urgent legislation that enforces criminal charges, longer prison sentences and permanent blacklisting of any educator or school staff member found guilty of sexual abuse or misconduct. Predators should never be allowed to work with children again, not in schools, not anywhere. It is unacceptable that some educators simply walk away with written warnings, short suspensions or salary deductions. Even more disturbing is that some cases are being withdrawn because victims, often traumatised children are too scared to testify, resulting in abusers escaping justice. We welcome the report by Education MEC Fundile Gade to the Bhisho Legislature, but we demand that this not be the end, the department must work hand in hand with SAPS, the Department of Justice and social workers to ensure every victim is supported and every perpetrator is brought to book. We also urge the South African Council for Educators (SACE) to act decisively in cancelling the registration of these individuals so they can never return to the profession. It is time that we say enough is enough. This is not just a school issue, it is a national crisis. A system that delays justice or allows abusers to slip through the cracks is complicit in harming children. The UDM in the Eastern Cape is committed to defending the rights and dignity of learners across our province. We will continue to advocate for a school environment where trust is protected, justice is swift, and survivors are never left to suffer in silence. This crisis demands bold and urgent action; not only from the department but from society as a whole. Our children deserve better, and we will not rest until the full weight of the law protects them.
