A 62‑year‑old technology instructor at a secondary school in Evaton, Gauteng, has been terminated and placed on the National Child Protection Register after an Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) hearing found him guilty of sexually harassing a 14‑year‑old grade‑9 learner.
Background to the case
The teacher, identified as Gwinyai Makaure, faced accusations that he inappropriately approached the young pupil during a class project session in March 2025. The student reported that Makaure asked a classmate to fetch a chair for him, then invited the complainant to sit on the same chair and suggested she take a selfie with him. When she declined, he allegedly told her he wanted to date her, shocking the girl who described the teacher as a “grandfather‑like” figure.
Following the incident, the pupil confided in her class teacher, who promptly escalated the matter to the deputy principal. The school’s administration then referred the case to the ELRC, where a formal disciplinary inquiry began on 26 September 2025.
The ELRC hearing and arbitration decision
During the hearing, the student testified as the primary witness. Two additional staff members corroborated her account, confirming that Makaure had behaved in a manner inconsistent with professional standards. When asked to cross‑examine the complainant, Makaure declined, and the arbitrator, John Siavhe, warned that his silence would be taken as acceptance of the testimony.
Rather than contest the evidence, Makaure chose to resign on 9 July 2026, hoping to evade further sanctions. The arbitrator, however, ruled that resignation did not absolve him of responsibility. Siavhe concluded that the Gauteng Department of Education had met its burden of proof, and that Makaure’s conduct breached the Children’s Act, rendering him unsuitable for any role involving minors.
Consequences and registration on the child protection list
In his award dated 16 September 2026, the arbitrator ordered the ELRC’s general secretary to inform the Department of Social Development so that Makaure would be entered onto the National Child Protection Register. Placement on this register bars individuals from employment or volunteer work that involves contact with children, and it also triggers mandatory reporting obligations for any future allegations.
The decision underscores South Africa’s zero‑tolerance stance on sexual misconduct in schools, aligning with the provisions of the Children’s Act (Act 38 of 2005) which mandates swift protective measures when a child’s safety is jeopardised.
Wider implications for school safety in the Vaal region
This case arrives at a time when educators across the Vaal and broader Gauteng province are under heightened scrutiny. Recent reports have highlighted a surge in complaints lodged with the ELRC, prompting the Department of Basic Education to roll out additional training on professional boundaries and child protection protocols.
Stakeholders argue that proactive measures—such as regular safeguarding workshops, clear reporting channels, and robust monitoring of teacher conduct—are essential to restore confidence among parents and learners.
Related developments
While the education sector grapples with these challenges, other public service investigations are also underway. For instance, a full investigation into the RTI Provincial Inspector death has drawn attention to accountability mechanisms within government bodies.
For a detailed account of the disciplinary process and the legal framework governing such cases, see the teacher dismissed for sexual harassment article published by TimesLIVE.
The outcome of Makaure’s case serves as a cautionary tale for educators nationwide, reinforcing the principle that any breach of trust with a learner will attract decisive disciplinary action and long‑term professional repercussions.
