Mashatile, Maimane agree on vetting teachers against the National Sexual Offenders register
Maimane made the appeal during the deputy president’s question time in the National Assembly yesterday in the wake of reports that a North West teacher had been fired for having sexual relations with a learner.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile in the National Assembly on 8 May 2025. Picture: Phando Jikelo/Parliament
CAPE TOWN - Deputy President Paul Mashatile has supported a call from Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane to vet teachers against the National Sexual Offenders register.
Maimane appealed during the deputy president’s question time in the National Assembly yesterday in the wake of reports that a North West teacher had been fired for having sexual relations with a learner.
Mashatile has acknowledged the shortcomings of not screening teachers before employment.
Maimane and others for open access to the national sexual offenders’ register have stalled over confidentiality provisions in the law.
And while the register only lists those found guilty by a court of a sexual offence, Maimane argues requirements for teachers should be more stringent.
Mashatile says he doesn’t see why this can’t happen, given that the government vets those applying to work in the civil service.
“I think we are a bit lax when it comes to schools. We can talk to the Department of Education to ensure that you don’t just employ someone you don’t know where they come from, and they must take care of our children. I think it’s something we can definitely look into.”
Mashatile says he’s collaborating with the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities to strengthen and improve accountability for gender based violence, particularly in light of the acquittal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, whose sex crimes trial dragged on for eight years.