South African Teacher Fired For Rubbing Crotch Against Pupil’s Bottom

A teacher who allegedly harassed five female students at a high school in Gauteng, South Africa has been given his marching orders.

One student claimed, in shocking testimonies, that the teacher had rubbed his crotch against her buttocks as she bent over to pick up a book, according to News24, a South African news outlet.

The teacher was fired this week by the Education Labour Relations Council (ERLC).

December 20 will be his last day to appear in the school where he had been teaching. 

The teacher spent the previous five years working at Voortrekkerhoogte High School, according to News24.

During the inquiry, the tutor described himself as a “dedicated teacher”, News24 reported.

The report was provided by the school's principal, who listed the different complaints she had received.

News24 reports that in May 2021, students demanded the teacher be fired amid claims of sexual harassment by setting a trash can on fire.

According to News24, the student who the teacher is accused of rubbing his crotch against expressed sadness and depression over the teacher's exploitation of her.

Another student claimed that the teacher hugged her and squeezed her buttocks.

The Department of Education was notified of the complaints, and the students received counselling.

According to News24, the arbitrator found that the teacher could not be trusted to be near female students and declared that sexual harassment was a serious offence in his ruling.

He was also removed from the Department of Education's database of registered teachers.