Some Hoërskool Waterkloof parents say GDE exaggerating misconduct claims against principal

PRETORIA - Some parents at Hoërskool Waterkloof, who’ve rallied behind the principal, said the Gauteng Education Department was exaggerating misconduct claims involving minors and shutting them out of a process they no longer trust.

Chris Denysschen was removed from his post in 2024, following allegations he interfered with witnesses in a disciplinary case linked to last year’s complaints of alleged grooming and improper conduct.

The matter is being handled through a closed arbitration process, and no criminal charges have yet been laid.

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Supporters of the principal said they’d been left in the dark and argued that the number of complainants had been exaggerated to justify his removal.

They said the ongoing process was unfairly dragging out a case that lacked transparency and had yet to produce a formal finding.

The education department said it was following procedure and could not share more details due to the involvement of minors and the sensitive nature of the claims.

Denysschen, who has denied any wrongdoing, is now based at the Tshwane South district office.

Over 1,400 parents have joined a WhatsApp group backing him, praising his leadership and calling for his return.

But with the hearing behind closed doors and no timeline for an outcome, pressure is mounting on officials to be more transparent.