logo
Teacher 'sent' explicit messages to pupil (12) on TikTok

Teacher 'sent' explicit messages to pupil (12) on TikTok

IOL News27-04-2025

Parents and community members staged a protest outside Pitlochry Primary School in Westville after allegations of child grooming by a teacher emerged recently.
A PRIMARY school teacher is facing charges of child grooming after he allegedly sent explicit messages to a 12-year-old pupil on TikTok.
Muzi Mahlambi, spokesperson for the KZN Department of Education, confirmed on Tuesday that the teacher was previously involved in a similar incident at another school and had been suspended.
Mahlambi said the current matter had been reported to the principal on April 5.
'It was also reported to the circuit manager on the same day, who then instituted an investigation. The findings and recommendations are now on the desk of the department's head, for him to apply his mind and take the appropriate actions. The department is very disappointed and frowns at such alleged behaviour by teachers in our schools.'
On Tuesday morning, parents and concerned community members gathered outside Pitlochry Primary School in Westville, demanding answers - including why the teacher had not been arrested to date.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, a provincial police spokesperson, confirmed Sydenham SAPS was investigating a case of child grooming, following reports that a man had allegedly sent explicit messages to a 12-year-old girl.
Some of the parents, who spoke to the POST, said they were 'horrified' after hearing about the alleged incident on the television news on Monday night.
It was alleged that the teacher had sent messages to the Grade 7 pupil on the social media platform, TikTok, in early April.
In the message, he allegedly asked her, 'Do you use one finger or two?', followed by 'I asked which finger you use on yourself…'.
In her alleged response, the pupil said: 'You're so dirty minded. I don't use any finger.'
The teacher allegedly went on to say that she should not tell anyone about the messages.
"Listen, please promise me you won't tell anybody, and I mean NOBODY that you chat to me,' the message read.
After hearing the allegations, the parents demanded that the teacher not return to school on Tuesday.
They called for his permanent removal from the school and if found guilty, from the education sector.
Veran Jankee, who has two children at the school - in grades 5 and 7 - said they had been informed that the education department had issued a directive that the teacher not attend school on Tuesday.
'They have termed it as a precautionary removal. However, while investigations are ongoing and I don't want to prejudge, there has been talks that this was not the first such incident with him. It has been alleged this also occurred when he taught at other schools. However, if the allegations are found to be true then he should be removed from the education system and not have access to any child.
'As a parent, all we want is for our children to be safe, especially when they are at school. We don't need such 'predators' using the opportunity of school to approach our children. Thankfully, the parent of the alleged victim noticed a change in her behaviour and started digging further. She notified the school. If she was not vigilant, who knows how long or far this would have gone,' he said.
Nerusha Maharaj, the mother of a Grade 5 male pupil, said she had found out about the alleged incident from watching the news.
'While we understand that the school has to follow protocols, we are the parents and have every right to know. It is sad and frustrating that this happened weeks ago but we had to hear about it on the news. Furthermore, he was moved from teaching to doing admin work. But he was still on the premises, so how was that protecting the children? The education department needs to move faster when dealing with such issues and be more transparent as this is our children's lives that are being compromised.'
Neema Keshav, the mother of a Grade 4 female pupil, said it was scary to hear about such allegations at the school.
'We send our children to school so they can have a brighter future, but this causes a great darkness over that dream. It is a horrible feeling as a parent as you now have to ask your child if anyone, be it a teacher or a fellow pupil had 'touched or misbehaved with them'.
'You also have to explain to them why you are asking these questions. It is difficult. We should not have to be asking our children these questions. However, we didn't expect this at the school and we hope that it will be dealt with properly,' she said.
Dinesh Ramsunder, whose child is in Grade 5 said: 'To have an alleged sexual perpetrator in the same school as your child is of great concern. But I am now standing up, not only for my child, but for all and calling on the education department to deal with this swiftly. In addition, there is a case that has been opened and the investigation should not be dragged out.'
Alicia Kissoon, ward 23 councillor, said she had been approached by several concerned parents.
She, together with parent representatives engaged with the school management to provide feedback to those present at the protest.
'While I am not the councillor for the ward in which the incident occurred, several of the parents who were at the protest, are residents of my ward. These parents are deeply distressed by the serious allegations involving a senior teacher and have called for greater transparency and accountability. The protest reflects a wider outcry for urgent intervention to ensure pupils safety.
'While I cannot comment on the specifics of the case to safeguard the privacy of the minor involved, it is imperative that this issue be addressed with the seriousness and urgency it warrants. The education department must also communicate clearly and act decisively to address the matter with sensitivity and integrity,' she said.
Thirona Moodley, the chief executive officer of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of SA (Naptosa) in KZN, said they condemned any act of sexual grooming or advances of a sexual nature between a teacher and pupil.
'Teachers stand in for parents while pupils are at school. They are supposed to protect pupils and not use their positions to exploit them.
'However, we can't be judge and jury before these allegations are tested. In addition, the education department must investigate and report their findings to all concerned.'
THE POST

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

World's top TikToker Khaby Lame detained by US immigration
World's top TikToker Khaby Lame detained by US immigration

The South African

timea day ago

  • The South African

World's top TikToker Khaby Lame detained by US immigration

US immigration agents detained and later allowed the 'voluntary departure' of the world's most-followed TikToker, Khaby Lame, after he 'overstayed' his visa, authorities said on Saturday. 'US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for immigration violations,' the agency said in a statement to AFP. Lame entered the United States on April 30 and 'overstayed the terms of his visa,' the statement said of the Friday detention, adding that he was released the same day. Not posted The Italian national, who is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and has a following of more than 162 million on TikTok, 'has since departed the US.' Lame had not immediately posted publicly about the incident as of Saturday afternoon. Since taking power in January, US President Donald Trump has delivered on campaign promises to tighten immigration controls and carry out a mass deportation drive – aspects of which have been challenged in US courts. Lame holds top spot on the wildly popular TikTok social media app, with 162.2 million followers and has risen to fame for his short silent videos mocking the convoluted tutorials and tips that abound on the internet. He punctuates his videos with a trademark gesture – palms turned towards the sky, accompanied by a knowing smile and wide eyes – as he offers his own simple remedies. The idea for his content came to him while wandering around the housing project where his family lived in Chivasso, near Turin, after losing his factory mechanic's job in March 2020. His posts took off – helping him gross an estimated $16.5 million through marketing deals with companies in the period between June 2022 and September 2023, according to Forbes. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Top TikToker Khaby Lame detained by US immigration
Top TikToker Khaby Lame detained by US immigration

eNCA

timea day ago

  • eNCA

Top TikToker Khaby Lame detained by US immigration

WASHINGTON - US immigration agents detained and later allowed the "voluntary departure" of the world's most-followed TikToker, Khaby Lame, after he "overstayed" his visa, authorities said Saturday. "US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for immigration violations," the agency said in a statement to AFP. Lame entered the United States on April 30 and "overstayed the terms of his visa," the statement said of the Friday detention, adding that he was released the same day. The Italian national, who is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and has a following of more than 162 million on TikTok, "has since departed the US." Lame had not immediately posted publicly about the incident as of Saturday afternoon. Since taking power in January, US President Donald Trump has delivered on campaign promises to tighten immigration controls and carry out a mass deportation drive -- aspects of which have been challenged in US courts. Lame holds top spot on the wildly popular TikTok social media app, with 162.2 million followers and has risen to fame for his short silent videos mocking the convoluted tutorials and tips that abound on the internet. He punctuates his videos with a trademark gesture -- palms turned towards the sky, accompanied by a knowing smile and wide eyes -- as he offers his own simple remedies. The idea for his content came to him while wandering around the housing project where his family lived in Chivasso, near Turin, after losing his factory mechanic's job in March 2020. His posts took off -- helping him gross an estimated $16.5 million through marketing deals with companies in the period between June 2022 and September 2023, according to Forbes.

SPCA investigating starving dog in influencer's viral video
SPCA investigating starving dog in influencer's viral video

The South African

time3 days ago

  • The South African

SPCA investigating starving dog in influencer's viral video

The National SPCA are investigating an influencer's viral TikTok video, which featured a notably starving dog in it. However, the woman – Sasha Tshiamo – claims she is not responsible for the animal. On the X platform, a video of influencer Sasha Tshiamo quickly went viral. But the TikTok had nothing to do with the content creator's flair for fashion or curvy figure. Instead, an emaciated dog in the background of the clip had social media users up in arms. The animal's ribcage was clearly visible, and it appeared lethargic. Many South Africans called on animal rights activists like the SPCA to intervene. @Zakhele27520120: '@NSPCA_SA Please, that dog is suffering there, do something 💔' @Nicole_Barlow1: 'Please, do the humane thing and surrender the dog to the nearest @NSPCA_SA. This situation is truly appalling. The blatant cruelty is unimaginable…😡🤬🤬' Others added: @Bar1Koekemoer: 'Your dog is starving. You are a despicable human being.' @JLerubako40: 'It is said that how a person treats their domestic animals says a lot about what type of person they are. Speaking to The South African, the SPCA confirmed that they were investigating the incident and would inspect the property where the dog was seen. While the SPCA has promised a thorough investigation, the influence claimed that she was not responsible for the animal. Sasha Tshiamo shared on an Instagram Story, ' I don't know if I must laugh or cry, guys. That's not my dog.' Under her TikTok video, a follower appealed to her to feed the dog. She clapped back: 'It's not my responsibility.' The SPCA has repeatedly warned the public that animal abusers can be criminally charged under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. The act – which was established to prevent the cruelty of animals – stipulates that those found guilty can face a fine or imprisonment. Offenders could also face a denial of ownership – preventing them from owning animals – as well as a criminal conviction. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store