The principal of Harvester Primary School, where a teacher was accused of sexually grooming a learner, is now also facing criminal charges.
The Western Cape police have confirmed to Smile FM that a criminal case docket has been opened and is being investigated, in which the principal is the subject.
This comes after it was revealed in June that a Grade R teacher allegedly sent a sexually explicit video to a 13-year-old Grade 7 learner.
According to reports, the teacher initially made contact with the student on a video social media platform, TikTok, and then moved their communication to WhatsApp, where an exchange of messages continued.
It is alleged that the teacher shared a revealing video of herself showing her breasts, with her face clearly visible in the video. It has been reported that the learner responded to the video with another video showing himself and his brother playing video games.
The 35-year-old teacher has since been arrested and is facing charges of sexual grooming of a child and exposing a child to explicit material.
READ MORE: Mitchells Plain teacher allegedly sexually harassed a learner
The teacher, who has since resigned from the school, appeared in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates Court on Thursday for her bail application.
During her court appearance, it was heard that the case was reported at the Lentegeur Police Station on the 9th of June.
The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Roland Peters, took the stand during Thursday’s court proceedings and told the court that he visited the school the day after the matter was reported. The principal then informed him that she first became aware of the allegations on June 4.
Peters further stated that the principal went to the grade 7 learner’s home on June 6 to collect the cellphone as evidence and reported the matter to the Western Cape Education Department and not to the police.
The principal is not facing charges of defeating and obstructing the ends of Justice and Section 54 Sexual Offences Act. Police investigations into the matters are, however, still ongoing.
The investigating officer also shared the statement of the 13-year-old victim in court, in which the minor shared how uncomfortable he was with the sexual nature of the conversations with the teacher on social media.
The teacher, who still remains behind bars, is due back in court on 15 July for closing arguments in her bail application and for judgment on her bail to be handed down.
READ MORE: Mitchells Plain teacher arrested; allegedly sent explicit content to learner
