WCED disputes teacher’s claims made on TikTok
Cape Town - A representative of the teacher and TikTok influencer whose videos went viral this week alleging she was left unemployed following sexual harassment by a male colleague, said she received a new post this week to “silence” and “bribe” her.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said they disputed claims that they did not assist former Symphony Secondary School teacher Kelly Manus, and that she was employed.
But Vanessa Le Roux of Parents for Equal Education, who has been appointed to speak on Manus’s behalf, said she was being victimised for speaking out and slapped with a post at the same time, following her reveal on social media.
“This is a bribery post to silence her,” said Le Roux.
“She was only informed on Wednesday, January 15, that she starts in her new position on Thursday.
“She thought it was a permanent position until someone in the media told her it was a contract for a year.”
Manus took to social media this week, claiming she was sexually harassed by the male teacher, who allegedly slapped her on the bottom in November 2023.
She further stated that her substitute post was to be converted to a permanent position, following a communication by the former principal, but that she found herself unemployed by December 2024.
On Thursday, WCED spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, said Manus’s claims were not accurate and that she was in fact employed and that they had assisted her regarding the case of sexual harassment.
“The individual claimed that they were unfairly discriminated against due to the fact that they had complained about a fellow educator, who was also the principal’s husband,” she said.
“They alleged that they did not get their contract post converted to a permanent post because of the complaint against a fellow educator and that the school did away with their post.
“These are the facts regarding this individual’s employment status: “They are not unemployed and have been appointed in another post at another school.
“Their appointment was not converted because they did not qualify for conversion.
“The process is regulated in terms of the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) Collective Agreement 2 of 2024.
“Through this process, all contract appointments in vacant and funded substantive educator posts could apply for conversion.
@kelly_manus PART ONE: Apologies for the quality 😮💨#teachersoftiktok #teacherlife ♬ original sound - Kelly Manus
“The individual was not in a vacant and funded substantive post. They were appointed in an ad hoc post (substitute post) which does not qualify in terms of the Collective Agreement.
“Their contract was always due to end on 31 December 2024.”
Hammond further reiterated that the school followed the correct procedures with the sexual harassment case.
“The WCED Labour Directorate requested to meet with them to initiate formal proceedings.
“However, they indicated that they did not want a formal disciplinary hearing.
“The WCED continued to engage in the matter informally given the serious nature of the allegations, and the alleged educator was cautioned.
“There had been no prior nor subsequent complaints regarding this educator.”
Le Roux claimed Manus was being victimised.
“Manus’s conversion to permanent was signed off already by the previous principal, School Governing Body, and the Circuit Manager.
“She was supposed to be permanent a long time ago now they want to say she does not meet the requirements and like it is about a post, this woman was victimised that is why she isn’t permanent yet,” she said.
The Cape Argus also reached out to Manus for comment who said Le Roux had to speak on her behalf.
Meanwhile, the ELRC confirmed Manus reported the matter to them following departure from the school.
“The matter is still within the 30-day period for conciliation and the certificate of non-resolution will be issued so that the matter is processed for the subsequent process of arbitration.”