The South African Police Service (SAPS), Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) and Deon Wiggett, the journalist behind the “My Only Story” series, have launched Operation Nemo. The operation will investigate claims of child grooming for sexual motives by educators.
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There has recently been concern about teachers abusing athletes in schools, which was sparked by a local podcast series called “My Only Story”.
Yesterday, 8 December 2022, at a Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) press conference, Operation Nemo was introduced by the director of the organisation, Miranda Jordan.
Jordan stressed that this will be a collaborative effort between the organisation, the police and the journalist behind the podcast, Deon Wiggett.
“It was formed under Organised Crime Head General Shadrack Sibiya’s hand and Colonel Heila Niemand will be heading it up.”
The most recent News24 podcast season titled, “My Only Story 2: Back to School”, implicates teachers at top private schools, such as St Andrew’s College, in the investigation.
Water polo athletes have come forward with allegations of abuse by former coaches David Mckenzie and Dean Carelse.
“My Only Story” details explicit misconduct by Mckenzie towards his pupil, Thomas Kruger, who later committed suicide.
Mckenzie denies all accusations, but police yesterday announced they will be reopening the investigation.
The recently deported Carelse is also under investigation for allegations that came up when he was coaching at Reddam Schools in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as at Grey College, Pearson High, St Andrew’s College, DSG and Westville Boys High.
It is unclear how many more teachers are being investigated at the moment.
Most of the victims have left school, but they are being urged to come forward and testify.
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Picture: WMACA / Facebook