Parents protest against return of alleged sex pest headmaster to PMB school
Learning and teaching at Merchiston Preparatory School in Pietermaritzburg shut down on Thursday, with parents protesting outside against the headmaster's return to his post.
He was suspended at the beginning of September over accusations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
Parents marched to the offices of the Department of Education in February to hand over a memorandum.
Their demands included a thorough investigation of the allegations and full reinstatement of the School Governing Body's functions.
They received news recently that the headmaster would be returning to the school today following a disciplinary hearing.
READ: Parents at PMB school demand clarity on suspensions of three senior staff members
Parent representative Tshephiso Papo says they want answers from the department.
"The call to the Department of Education, which we have contacted various times, and I think the SGB has also been in contact with them, is to basically say as parents we do not want the headmaster in this school and that they need to act on that - and we need explanations when they come in."
In a letter seen by Newswatch, the School Governing Body said it had briefed its legal team to prepare an urgent application for an interdict and other relief.
“We have also just received a request to meet a Department of Education official this afternoon. Lastly, we understand the frustration and anxiety being experienced by parents and staff. We too are frustrated that the DOE has ignored all our recent letters and had refused to meet with us until today. We encourage the parents to ensure that they act lawfully at all times,” the letter noted.
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