Parktown Boys: Joburg school faces fresh racism case against teachers

Parktown Boys High School is no stranger to controversy and scandal. With teachers seemingly facing accusations constantly, another incident has been revealed.

Parktown Boys High School: More allegations

It has been confirmed that disciplinary action is currently underway against two Parktown Boys High School teachers. The teachers are accused of both racism and assault.

Read: Outcry after St John’s College teacher found guilty of racism but still teaching at school

The Gauteng Department of Education is utilising the services of a law firm to investigate the two teachers for allegedly mistreating pupils.

Education Department spokesman Steve Mabona confirmed that the two teachers had been “precautionary transferred” to the district office while the investigation is underway.

“This is to confirm that the law firm has commenced with their work, and as such we are affording them some space to finalise their work,” Mabona said.

The Sowetan reports that one of the teachers is accused of performing “old-school initiation rituals” on pupils. This included keeping one in a sit-up position for 45 minutes. The other teacher has been accused of making one boy strip naked and throwing water in another’s face.

The law firm is currently carrying out interviews with witnesses as well as students and pupils.

“The department will announce the outcome of the disciplinary process to all affected stakeholders in the matter,” Mabona said.

The School Governing Body has been left irritated by the department as they have not been provided with the specific accusations facing the teachers. Chairman Jim Polley stressed that the school will assist in any way it can once it receives all the details.

Last month, 13 Parkton Boys teachers continued to teach at the school despite facing multiple pending investigations from the Education Department. One of the teachers was reportedly under investigation for inviting strippers to entertain him on the school premises.

Other charges form part of police criminal investigations.