Parents of learners at Soneike High School in Kuils River have taken their concerns to the police, alleging that their children have been subjected to assault, intimidation and victimisation, despite repeated attempts to raise the issues with education authorities.
The complaints have prompted criminal cases at Kuils River police station and calls for an independent investigation into how the school handled the allegations. The dispute comes as matric learners sit their final National Senior Certificate examinations.
Among the claims are allegations that a learner was assaulted by a senior staff member on 24 July and subsequently intimidated after a criminal case was opened. A separate complaint concerns an allegation that a Grade 12 learner raped another learner on 7 August, as reported by the Cape Times.
These remain allegations, and police investigations are ongoing.
Parents demand accountability
One parent has raised concerns about how learners were treated after criminal complaints were made, including allegations that school personnel questioned learners while investigations were under way.
Another parent has called for an independent inquiry following an alleged confrontation at a meeting on 6 October intended to address her daughter’s safety. She claims a senior staff member shouted at and intimidated her during the discussion.
Vanessa Le Roux, founder of Parents for Equal Education SA (PEESA), accompanied parents to Kuils River police station on Wednesday evening.
Le Roux said she had reviewed numerous emails in which parents had reportedly raised concerns with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) over an extended period.
She criticised what she described as a failure to respond adequately to the complaints and urged parents to continue seeking accountability.
Police confirm investigations
SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel FC van Wyk confirmed that an intimidation case was registered on 13 October. He also confirmed an investigation into a case of defeating the course of justice linked to an incident at a school on Highbury Road.
Van Wyk said both investigations were continuing and that the case dockets would be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The WCED also confirmed that it was investigating a sexual assault involving two learners, alongside the police investigation. The department said disciplinary proceedings involving an educator had concluded with a sanction.
WCED responds to victimisation claims
The department disputed allegations that learners had been victimised, saying earlier parental complaints reportedly followed dissatisfaction with the outcomes of disciplinary hearings involving learners.
WCED spokesperson Millicent Merton said the learners had been held accountable through the school’s disciplinary processes and described the victimisation allegations as unfounded.
The parents’ complaints, police investigations and the department’s response leave questions about learner safety and the handling of concerns at the school under scrutiny.
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