Johannesburg teacher dismissed after disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct and unfair grading practices at Kensington High School
Teacher Fired for Dsurbing Allegations: A natural sciences teacher at Kensington High School in Johannesburg, Lindokuhle Siwela, has been dismissed after a series of serious allegations surfaced, including awarding marks to students based on their body shape and engaging in sexual misconduct. The scandal, which has shocked the South African education community, culminated in a ruling by the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) that found Siwela guilty of gross misconduct and deemed him unfit to work with children.
Allegations Against Lindokuhle Siwela
Multiple pupils at Kensington High School came forward with disturbing testimonies against Siwela. The allegations included:
- Awarding assignment marks based on students’ body shape.
- Making sexually inappropriate remarks to female students.
- Engaging in sexual harassment and inappropriate touching.
- Threatening students to prevent them from reporting his actions.
During the ELRC arbitration hearing, one pupil revealed that Siwela asked her how many marks she deserved for an assignment. When she replied “15 out of 20,” he responded that she deserved 18 because she was “beautiful.” Another pupil testified that Siwela allocated marks for a project based on the students’ body shapes, rather than academic merit.
Sexual Misconduct and Harassment
The allegations extended far beyond unfair grading. Testimonies detailed a pattern of sexual harassment, including:
- Asking a Grade 8 pupil if she was a virgin and expressing a desire to be her boyfriend.
- Touching a pupil’s breast and threatening to make her life “a living hell” if she reported the incident.
- Calling a student a “slut” and making derogatory comments about her relationships with boys.
- Telling a student she qualified to be his girlfriend and promising to “spoil her.”
- Approaching students from behind, placing his hands around their necks, and touching their breasts under the guise of helping with schoolwork.
- Making inappropriate comments about students’ appearances and suggesting they date older men like himself.
One pupil testified that when she asked for permission to use the toilet, Siwela allegedly touched her breast and, on another occasion, refused her request unless she “undressed so he could see for himself.”
The Arbitration and Verdict
During the arbitration, Siwela denied all charges, claiming there was a marking guideline and that he did not allocate marks based on body shape or students’ own assessment of their performance. He admitted to touching students during interactions but insisted it was not inappropriate.
Arbitrator Themba Manganyi found the pupils’ testimonies consistent and credible, even under cross-examination. Manganyi stated, “All the learners who testified in the proceedings gave a first-hand account of what they knew and were consistent even during cross-examination.” He concluded that the employer, the Gauteng Department of Education, had successfully proven its case, and Siwela’s denials were insufficient to counter the evidence presented.
Consequences and Impact
Siwela was found guilty of gross misconduct, dismissed from his position, and declared unsuitable to work with children. The ELRC ordered that his name be added to the Child Protection Register, effectively barring him from future employment involving minors. The Gauteng Department of Education welcomed the decision, emphasizing their commitment to student safety and ethical standards in schools.
The case has sparked renewed calls for vigilance and stricter oversight in South African schools to protect students from abuse and ensure a safe learning environment.
The Verdict
The dismissal of Lindokuhle Siwela from Kensington High School underscores the importance of safeguarding students and maintaining integrity in education. The swift and decisive action taken by the ELRC and the Gauteng Department of Education sends a clear message: misconduct and abuse of power by educators will not be tolerated in South Africa’s schools.
Also read: Teacher Gets Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Raping Pupil Inside Classroom
