BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Department of Education announced that a provincial and national team would initiate a comprehensive investigation into allegations of sexual assault and harassment at the independent New Horizon College in Harrismith. This came after allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse involving learners and the headmaster of the school surfaced.
Departmental investigations are expected to run parallel with the ongoing police investigation. The Free State police reported the 50-year-old man had voluntarily handed himself over to local police on 13 November after allegations became public of sexual assault involving a 15-year-old learner of the school. The department in a statement confirmed the suspension of the headmaster, as well as that he had previously taught Mathematics at the school.
Dr Julia Maboya, Free State MEC for Education, said the department’s prompt action − instituting an investigation by the Provincial and National Education team − would cover the allegations against the headmaster; the historical patterns of reported misconduct; the school’s response over the years; potential failures in governance; and the extent to which learners were failed or silenced.
“Sexual predators have no place in our schools. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever,” said Mabuya
“The Free State Department of Education will not tolerate any environment that protects abusers or silences children. We are not neutral in matters of child safety − we stand firmly, aggressively, and unapologetically on the side of learners,” said Maboya.
“The department wishes to remind all institutions and schools that the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education recently reaffirmed a strong national stance on the mandatory reporting of statutory rape and other sexual offences in schools. There is no discretion, no negotiation, no internal process that may override the legal duty to report.
“Any person − educator, board member, staff member or volunteer − who becomes aware of allegations of sexual misconduct and fails to report this to the SAPS is in direct violation of the law.
“Schools exist to shape futures, not destroy them. Any adult who uses their authority to harm a child is an enemy of society. Any institution that turns a blind eye becomes an accomplice. This department will pursue truth, accountability, and justice − without fear or favour.”
Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the provincial Department of Education, said allegations of sexual misconduct at the school in question were detailed in the testimonies of former learners, alumni networks, community voices and social media accounts.
“These reveal a disturbing pattern of behaviour that no civilised society − and certainly no school − can ever ignore or excuse. The department is appalled that such allegations could have persisted in silence for so long, creating an environment where learners may have felt unsafe, unheard, and unprotected,” said Ndaba.
“A suspension is not justice; it is a procedural step. The department will not allow the gravity of these allegations to be diluted by administrative formality or delayed action.”
He said the testimonies would form a critical part of the investigation.
“The provincial Department of Education calls upon the board of New Horizon College to demonstrate leadership worthy of their mandate.”
List of reported incidents grows. In May, the department fired a teacher at the Makabelane Technical School in Qwaqwa – eastern Free State for sexual assault and harassment of three female learners, aged 14, 16 and 18. These incidents reportedly took place between 2023 and 2024.
During the same month, a 34-year-old male teacher at the Mamelleng-Thuto Secondary School in Bothaville, in the Lejweleputswa District, was suspended pertaining to the alleged rape of a 14-year-old learner in Gr.9 on the weekend of 17 May.
In September, a teacher at St Bernard High School in Bloemfontein was dismissed while two implicated have been suspended. This action came after several former female learners at the St Bernard came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against several teachers, including receiving inappropriate text messages and explicit images.
A 30-year-old teacher at the Dr Viljoen Combined School in Bloemfontein is also on suspension regarding the alleged rape of a 17-year-old learner before the writing of her matric final exam in October last year.
By June this year, the provincial Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) reported there had been 12 cases of sexual harassment and abuse of learners by teachers for the 2024-’25 period. Nationally, the ELRC reported 111 cases were referred to them the same term. These cases include those from the Free State.
