Male teacher at Sunward Park High School fired for breaching ethics code in wake of sexual assault claims

JOHANNESBURG - A male teacher from Sunward Park High School in Boksburg has been dismissed after being found guilty of contravening the code of professional ethics, following sexual assault allegations.

The teacher faced three counts of sexual assault and one count of verbal misconduct towards female learners at the school.

The Gauteng education department said it's believed some of the incidents took place at the school and a few outside the premises since 2024.

The most recent incident allegedly occurred in August.

The teacher was suspended in August after parents lodged a complaint with the school, and he was subsequently let go on Thursday in absentia at his disciplinary hearing.

Spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department condemned any form of misconduct by educators and would be providing counselling services to the affected learners.

"This decision will be communicated to the South African Council for Educators (SACE) with a formal recommendation that the educator's name be permanently struck off the register so that this educator will be revoked from the educators' teaching accreditation."