THE services of a teacher who allegedly drove Tiro Moalusi to his death have been withdrawn!
The Gauteng Department of Education on Friday, 2 September, said the South African Council for Educators (SACE) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the grade 9 pupil from PJ Simelane Secondary School in Dobsonville, Soweto, on 16 August.
It’s alleged that the pupil was discriminated against for his sexual orientation by a teacher in class during an oral presentation in full view of other classmates.
According to his aunt, Nokthula Moalusi (36), this really hurt his feelings to the point that the young man decided to take his own life.
In the meantime, the department has removed the teacher and the SACE investigating officer has been appointed to probe the matter.
Gauteng education spokesman Steve Mabona said the SACE investigator has already interacted with their district officials to assist with the investigation.
He said the department has since dispatched a safety co-ordinator to the school for support regarding bullying, safety and advocacy on gender-based issues.
He also said a psycho-social unit deployed a team of psychologists to provide counselling to pupils at the school.
Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi sent his condolences to the family and the school community.
“We strongly condemn any discrimination by both learners and educators,” he said.
“We wish to remind all schools that any form of abuse will not be tolerated in our environment,” he emphasised.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Tiro’s other aunt Masingita Moalusi said she’s not pleased with how the department is keeping them in the dark.
She said this was the first time hearing about the teacher being withdrawn from her duties.
“It’s great that there’s progress but it would be nice if they also talk to us and not just the media. Otherwise, we’re happy that Daily Sun pushed them to actually take action,” said Masingita.
She said police said they’re still waiting for the forensics report and they’ll keep Daily Sun updated should there be any progress.
Representing the LGBT+ community, chairwoman of Khumo Yabahatang Mmoho Foundation Phodiso Aphane said the Department of Education didn’t deal with this issue deeply like they expected.
“We have a huge number of high school drop outs and cases of suicide and we demand justice,” said Phodiso.
“Our lawyers from AC2 are really taking over the case and we’ll support the family till the end,” she said.
“Government institutions are a joke when it comes to the queer community and we’re really tired of this,” she said.
