An Afrikaans teacher at Elsies River High School was dismissed with immediate effect after it was revealed that he kissed two pupils, sent explicit messages and then tried to bribe one of them to not testify against him, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Some shocking details have emerged from the arbitration hearing of Ryan Andrews, who has been charged with sexual misconduct.
Andrews was employed by the Western Cape Education Department from January 2020. His first charge of committing sexual assault by kissing a pupil came to light in November 2022.
The pupil was 18 years old, in Grade 10, at the time when Andrews invited her to his classroom after school and kissed her.
As per the transcript of the proceedings, Andrews had closed the door and opened a cupboard door. ‘Andrews pushed the learner into the cupboard and said “this was his size” and then kissed her.’
‘She pushed herself away from him and Andrews said he was sorry about the kiss. She explained that the kiss had been unexpected, and it had felt weird.’
During April and/or May 2023, he was charged with conducting himself in an improper and disgraceful manner when he commented on a pupil’s WhatsApp photo status that, ‘she will need a wheelchair when he is done with her…’
According to News24, the pupil was 19 years old at the time. The pupil testified that Andrews had sent her a message asking whether she had a boyfriend. He also reportedly sent her ‘stick sex positions’. He also allegedly asked her to go to a party with him, which she refused.
According to the hearing documents, the pupil had blocked his cellphone number.
After this, Andrews reportedly visited her house where he told her that he could not lose his job and that his girlfriend was pregnant. According to the transcript of her testimony, he visited her house three times in one day, and he spoke to her aunt and mother.
During cross-examination, the pupil revealed that Andrews called her and asked her to withdraw the case, offering to pay her R5 000.
She said she and her grandmother were forced to sign a statement in which she would withdraw the case. She said she wanted to put the case behind her so that she could continue with her schoolwork.
Andrews was reported to the principal, Velma Jackson, by Cheryl Williams, an English home language teacher.
Williams was reportedly approached by two friends of the 18-year-old pupil, after which she confronted Andrews as she felt the pupil was ‘in a risky situation’.
As per News24, Andrews testified that he tried to commit suicide and was hospitalised, yet he pleaded guilty to the charges as he ‘did not want to listen to any more witnesses and did not want to testify as he may feel traumatised,’ according to the transcript.
‘Andrews was very emotional, and it was agreed that he did not need to sit through the leading of evidence by an educator from the school where these acts took place,’ said ELRC commissioner Gail McEwan.
‘South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) sat in during that evidence that was led and had the chance to cross-examine the witness.’ Sadtu also provided a medical report to McEwan.
McEwan added that Andrews did not follow the procedures during the inquiry. ‘As an example, he would be playing with his cellphone, and would suddenly start playing aloud a recording that he had made/or voice note that he had received.’
She noted that his conduct towards the pupils was unacceptable, disgraceful and improper. ‘This was unwelcome and unwarranted conduct of a sexual nature. His treatment towards them made them feel uncomfortable, and, as vulnerable young girls, they felt that it was improper.’
Andrews’ Sadtu representative, Juwa Dimande, could not speak on his behalf.
Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department, welcomed the sanction and said they had a ‘zero-tolerance approach to any form of sexual abuse in our schools.’
‘We have been informed that he is taking the matter on review.’
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