A music teacher on contract at two top Makhanda schools has been suspended pending an investigation into allegations that he sexually groomed a then 16-year-old boy he had been tutoring.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed that the Makhanda Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit was investigating the allegation.
The principals of St Andrew’s College and Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) disclosed in a leaked joint letter that independent professional counsellors had since been appointed to engage with current and recent members of the Chamber Choir, which includes girl and boy pupils from both schools.
The police investigation relates to events which allegedly occurred about two years before the music teacher was contracted by DSG on a part-time basis with the Chamber Choir, comprising both DSG and St Andrew’s pupils.
Naidu said the alleged grooming started in 2019, when the complainant was being tutored by the man, who was a choir intern conductor at a church.
“On February 12, the [now] 20-year-old [complainant] opened a case in terms of the Sexual Offences Act for grooming,” Naidu said.
“The [alleged] incident started in 2019 when the [complainant] was 16.
“At the time, he was tutored by the suspect, who was a choir intern conductor at a church.
“The [complainant] was receiving organ lessons.
“The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Makhanda is investigating the case.”
The alleged perpetrator, whose identity is known to The Herald, could not be reached for comment.
Numerous phone calls and WhatsApp messages sent to him went unanswered.
An email was also returned as undelivered.
The letter by St Andrew’s principal Tom Hamilton and DSG principal Jannie de Villiers, which was circulated among parents and staff earlier this week, reads: “We are writing to inform you of a safeguarding incident involving a music teacher on a fixed-term contract at our schools.
“The person concerned is contracted on a part-time basis by DSG, working exclusively with the Chamber Choir, which comprises pupils of DSG and St Andrew’s College.”
The letter further states that the suspect had notified the head of DSG that a case had been opened against him alleging that in 2019 — two years before his appointment by DSG — he had “sexual relations with an underage teenager”.
“The minor in question was not a member of our family of schools,” the letter reads.
“In 2021, the teacher signed a one-year contract at DSG, which was later extended.
“Before the contract was awarded, all safeguarding and referencing requirements were undertaken, as stipulated by DSG’s recruitment policy, and no concerns were identified.
“He has also been subject to subsequent vetting procedures as per DSG’s human resources policies.
“Once again, no concerns have been identified.”
After being notified of the allegations on Friday evening, DSG immediately placed the teacher on precautionary suspension pending an internal disciplinary inquiry and hearing.
“While our understanding is that this matter has already been reported to the SA Police Service, DSG has instructed its attorneys to contact [the police] on the school’s behalf,” the letter states.
“Safeguarding is a combined commitment between our schools, and a joint safeguarding policy was approved by both the DSG and St Andrew’s College Councils in 2023.
“The same applies to codes of conduct and disciplinary procedures.
“In essence, safeguarding standards and procedures apply equally across both schools.”
On Tuesday afternoon, the two schools released a joint media statement, confirming the contents of the internal memo.
“It can be confirmed that our family of schools adhere to the requirements set forth by the Independent Schools Association of SA regarding the vetting of all staff.
“These requirements encompass a range of measures, including but not necessarily limited to reference checks, qualification verification, identity authentication, procurement of police clearance certificates, acquisition of certificates in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act, and confirmation of registration against the Child Protection Registry.”
Both schools said their duty of care and concern for their pupils and staff was of “paramount importance”.
“Though the alleged transgression did not involve a pupil of our family of schools and occurred two years before the teacher commenced his contract at DSG, we are reminded again of the importance of our duty of care as leading educational institutions,” they said.
“We will, therefore, continue to safeguard the pupils and staff at our schools through ongoing training and awareness, and a comprehensive execution of our policies and protocols.”
In 2023, a 49-year-old St Andrew’s College employee was arrested in connection with allegations that he had raped a seven-year-old boy at the complex where he lived.
However, the charges were later withdrawn.
Before that, ex-St Andrew’s College water polo coach David Mackenzie was publicly accused of sexually grooming former pupil Thomas Kruger — an allegation he has vehemently denied.
Thomas was just 16 when he took his own life on the night of Mackenzie’s bachelor party on November 18 2018.
After Thomas’s death, the National Prosecuting Authority and the police investigated Mackenzie in connection with allegations related to sexual grooming and possession of child pornography.
Despite seizing his electronic devices through a search warrant, the deputy director of public prosecutions declined to prosecute him on May 21 2019, and all items were returned to Mackenzie.
Former St Andrew’s College principal Alan Thompson later stepped down from his position after a review board, headed by retired judge Dayalin Chetty, found Mackenzie had allegedly “groomed boys” during his tenure at the school.
The review board, which looked into allegations of sexual misconduct, bullying and substance abuse at the school, found the evidence “demonstrated, quite unequivocally, that [Mackenzie] was [allegedly] grooming boys” and that Thompson had breached his duty of care to his students.
Mackenzie is, meanwhile, suing his accusers for damages in a bid to clear his name.
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