DA calls for urgent commission of inquiry into sexual abuse at GP schools

16 October 2017

The DA calls on Gauteng Premier, David Makhura to show leadership and urgently appoint a commission of inquiry into sexual abuse cases at schools in the province.

According to Section 127 (2) (e) of the Constitution, the Premier has the power to appoint a commission of inquiry. The time to use that power is now.

A full blown inquiry will be able to thoroughly investigate both known and unknown abuse cases in our schools and provide substantial solutions to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) in fighting the scourge of sexual abuse.

To date, Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi has been franticly running around offering apologies to learners, parents and teachers at various schools.  The MEC cannot continue to run around like a headless chicken and wait for a miracle in order for this PR nightmare to go away.

MEC Lesufi would do well to support the initiative and provide full cooperation to such a commission.

While we support the department in instituting security vetting measures beyond criminal records for security personnel stationed at schools across the province, the Premier has the opportunity to address this issue in a holistic manner and go beyond reactionary rhetoric.

Silence and non-reporting of sexual abuse and rape within our schooling system must be rooted out once and for all with this inquiry.

Premier Makhura, the time to act and use the powers vested in you by the Constitution to take charge and lead the way forward in getting to the bottom of this matter is now.

Issued by Khume Ramulifho, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, 16 October 2017