Parliament, Wednesday, 21 October 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, has expressed profound shock, outrage and deep concern following allegations of rape involving a nine-year-old learner, allegedly committed by an educator at Busisiwe Primary School in Zola, Soweto.
The committee extends its unreserved support and solidarity to the victim, her family and the affected school community. “We have noted reports that a nine-year old learner was allegedly raped on the school premises by an educator at the school. Schools are constitutionally mandated to be safe spaces where learners are protected, nurtured and educated. Any act of violence against a child within a school environment, particularly by an educator, constitutes an egregious breach of trust and the law,” emphasised Ms Maimela.
She said while the committee noted the intervention made by Gauteng Education MEC, Mr Lebogang Maile, and the officials who were dispatched to investigate the matter, the committee cannot emphasise enough that the severity of these allegations requires immediate, decisive action as soon as the preliminary findings are established. The committee also called for psychosocial support to be provided to the learner and other affected individuals.
The committee firmly maintains that systemic mechanisms must be stringently applied to eradicate sexual misconduct in schools, the Chairperson said. “In this regard, the committee reasserts that the National Register for Sex Offenders must be strictly enforced across all provincial education departments. Vetting must be continuous and uncompromising, ensuring that any individual listed on the register is permanently removed from the schooling system and barred from working with children.
“Equally, the committee highlights the essential role of the South African Council for Educators in vetting and registering all qualified educators in South Africa. This registration ensures that educators meet the required professional standards and are eligible to practice as teachers in the country. But furthermore, the registration includes vetting of criminal records and conviction for a sexual offence against a child or vulnerable person. Records like these leads to a mandatory listing on the NRSO and disqualifies an individual from working in schools,” said Ms Maimela.
The committee calls on all roleplayers to work closely together in order for a swift and thorough investigation in the matter. “We will closely monitor the progress of the investigation by the Gauteng Department of Education as well as law enforcement agencies to ensure full accountability and justice for the victim.”
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION, MS JOY MAIMELA
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