Charlo Primary official suspended for inappropriate gifts, messages to pupils

A Charlo Primary School Governing Body employee is suspended pending a probe into him allegedly sending inappropriate messages and gifts to pupils.

Department of Education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said that last week the messages were brought to the attention of Charlo Primary School Governing Body (SGB).

Pulumani said that the man, who was a contracted SGB appointment,  was allegedly exchanging inappropriate gifts and messages with underage pupils in the school.

“The employee was immediately suspended on Thursday (October 26) as a precursor to a comprehensive investigation into the matter,” he said.

Pulumani said that the parents as well as the district director and police were informed of the incident.

Pulumani said an independent investigator had been sent to the school on Monday morning.

“The investigator forms part of the independent panel responding to rapid incident report. The department intends to get to the bottom of this serious allegation immediately to ensure that the matter is speedily expedited without undue disruption to the examinations and programmes of the school,” he said.

“Professional counselling services were immediately provided for all the pupils and parents affected to ensure that any likely psychological residue of the incident is immediately dealt with accordingly.”

Pulumani said that they were committed to responding quickly to such incidents which could potentially disrupt classes.

The Charlo Primary School SGB also issued a statement to parents of the school on the school's website, saying it will conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.