Outrage as 176 teachers found guilty of sexual misconduct

Teacher unions and political leaders have called for the immediate dismissal of all educators listed on the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) or the National Child Protection Register (NCPR), following shocking revelations that 176 teachers have been found guilty of sexual misconduct.

According to a report in the POST, with more than 80% of public-school teachers still not vetted, experts have described the current system as “too slow” and “failing our children”.

The call to action comes after the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) informed Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education that, between the 2021/22 and 2025/26 financial years, 176 teachers were found guilty of sexual misconduct through formal disciplinary processes.

Thirona Moodley, spokesperson for the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) in KwaZulu-Natal, said vetting was insufficient to prevent abuse unless conducted regularly.

“Teachers found guilty of sexual misconduct through formal disciplinary processes, following labour law prescripts, must be dismissed. Teachers act in loco parentis and must always prioritise the child’s welfare,” she said.

Moodley criticised the current one-off vetting system and delays in disciplinary action. “The Department of Education takes too long to investigate and charge teachers, allowing them to remain in classrooms for months. The system is failing our children,” she added.

Dr Erna De Lange, chief operating officer of the KwaZulu-Natal Governing Body Foundation, said it was time to “clean up” the profession.

“Children must not be exposed to untrustworthy individuals. Teachers found guilty of sexual misconduct must be dismissed and permanently barred from the profession,” she said. “There is a clear ethical standard teachers must meet. If they fall short, they should not be in classrooms.”

De Lange emphasised the need for consistent vetting. “Police clearance should be an annual requirement. The current system is too slow, and the police are overwhelmed. There must be a more efficient way. If we can send a man to the moon, we can streamline vetting.”

Political Outrage

Nazley Sharif, the DA’s spokesperson on basic education, urged education sector employers to act decisively.

“No individual listed on the NRSO or NCPR should be appointed to any school. The South African Council for Educators (SACE) must remove listed individuals from the educators’ register without delay. This is essential to protect children and maintain the integrity of the profession,” she said.

Sharif stressed the legal obligation for all employers — including provincial departments, school governing bodies, and independent schools — to avoid hiring or retaining anyone on either register.

IFP councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen called the data “damning”. As of March 2025, only 78,500 of approximately 405,000 public-school teachers — around 19% — had been vetted against the NRSO.

“This is a gross failure to ensure children’s safety. Vetting must be mandatory before employment, and dismissal must follow immediately if an individual is listed,” he said.

Annipen added that police clearance should be compulsory in addition to register vetting. “This extra layer can reveal criminal histories or investigations not listed on the registers. No teacher, new or existing, should be employed without full clearance.”

MK Party MP Visvin Reddy also backed calls for immediate dismissal of any teacher listed on the NRSO or NCPR.

“Individuals found guilty of offences against children have no place near vulnerable learners. Teachers should be subject to the same — if not stricter — background checks as security guards or drivers. It is unacceptable that our education system allows unvetted teachers to operate,” Reddy said.

Minority Front leader Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi expressed outrage at the figures, calling listed teachers “a stain on society”.

“Teachers are role models, replacing parents during school hours. Every teacher must be vetted before employment, and anyone on the sex offender or child protection registers must be dismissed immediately,” she said.

NRSO Access Still Delayed

Last month, Terrence Manase, spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, confirmed to POST that the department was still unable to provide a date for the public release of the NRSO, though it remained a priority.

He explained that legislative amendments were underway to address sections of the law that currently restrict public access to the register. These changes aim to strike a balance between public interest, privacy rights, and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

“The consultation process is vital to ensure a legally sound framework. Once complete, the department will introduce proposed amendments via the appropriate parliamentary channels,” Manase said.

Although no specific timeline has been confirmed, the department is working “diligently” to finalise the matter and will announce a release date once all processes are complete.

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