SAHRC investigates principal's alleged misconduct at Eastern Cape school

THE Eastern Cape school principal at the centre of allegations that she instructed young pupils to dispose of her faeces and clean a bucket used for defecation, has blamed disgruntled community members as being behind the claims, which now form part of a  South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigation. 

A group of residents and activists from the Unemployed Peoples Movement recently protested outside the Masakhane Primary School, calling for the principal to be removed over the allegations. 

SAHRC Eastern Cape provincial manager Eileen Carter said: “The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has taken note of the concerning allegations regarding the principal's conduct at Masakhane Primary School in Seven Fountains. We have opened an investigation into this matter and will proceed according to our complaints handling procedure. We will thoroughly examine the allegations and take appropriate action based on our assessment.” 

Activist Babalwa Budaza said they were made aware of the matter before the school closed in June.

“We called for a meeting with the department before the school closed and the matter was discussed. By the time school reopened on Tuesday the children did not want to return. They said ‘we're scared the principal will do that again’. The children said the principal was asking them to throw out her faeces because she is using a bucket as her toilet even though there is no need for her to do this.” 

The principal was at school during the protest. 

“The department of education came and we asked them when they were going to remove the principal. We discussed the matter, the department said there is no evidence the principal did this. We said the children told their parents. Then they said they would tell the principal not to return to school until further notice. The children say they are feeling better because she is not there,” Budaza said. 

Speaking to the Cape Times on Wednesday, Principal Thandeka Ngqezana said the allegations may have stemmed from other unrelated issues within the community. 

She said there were tensions around the recruitment of assistant teachers, as not everyone was appointed after the interviews; only eight people could be hired. She alleged those who were not selected, were unhappy, among others.

Addressing the allegations about the bucket, the principal said: “Yes, I do use a bucket to mop the floor in the pantry room, and I once asked a learner to throw the dirty water away. That room is behind the office and is used to store food, learning materials, and other important items because it’s secure and has burglar bars.

"When food deliveries arrive, especially milk or amasi (sour milk) they often spill on the floor. I mop the room at least twice a week, depending on how dirty it gets, and I always use detergent to make sure it’s clean before we store anything. Because we rely on tank water and have ongoing water shortages, our toilets, which are flushing toilets often don’t work properly. That’s why I asked the learner to pour the used mop water into the toilet. I know the younger children can’t do that themselves and usually the meal servers help them.

“But my character as a person, I would never do anything to harm a child. I am also a parent. I’ve worked with children all my life. I know their rights. Why would I suddenly harm a child now? When I first arrived at the school in 2011, we only had pit toilets. We got flushing toilets in 2022, two for boys, two for girls, and two for staff. There’s even been an allegation that I don’t use the toilets, which is simply not true. I use them, just like everyone else. 

"This situation isn’t just about the bucket. There are many issues that have built up. Some people weren’t happy when we hired assistant teachers and not everyone was selected. Others were upset when the SGB didn’t recommend reappointing the Grade R practitioner. Why did these allegations only come out now? Also, I believe there are political motives. Around municipal election time, this kind of unrest tends to happen.” 

She said both herself and other teachers were traumatised following the protest. 

“The department told me the protesters have no authority to suspend me. The matter is still under investigation. But for now, they’ve asked me to step aside for my health and safety. I am traumatised. Even some of my colleagues are feeling the same. I love my learners and I love the school.”

The Eastern Cape Education Department did not respond to requests for comment on the matter by deadline.

Cape Times