STATEMENT

ISSUE AT HAND: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CRIME AT PARKTOWN BOYS HIGH SCHOOL
COMPILED BY: VUMA REPUTATION MANAGEMENT
07 MAY 2017

On the evening of 3rd November 2016, Parktown Boys High School found footage on the
internal boarding house CCTV cameras, installed to expose theft and ensure the safety of
our boarding house learners, which showed an assistant boarding master engaged in
inappropriate physical contact with learners.

We immediately brought this to the attention of the Chairman of the school Governing Body.
The SA Police Service was contacted and the perpetrator was arrested. He has since been
charged with sexual abuse of minors and is awaiting trial. The school banned him from the
property pending a hearing but he resigned with immediate effect.

On the morning of the 4th of November 2016, we informed the Gauteng Department of
Education (GDE). We provided immediate and ongoing counselling and psychological
support to the learners concerned, and have continued to engage with their parents. A
senior representative from the GDEs psychological services visited the school and is still
working closely with us.

We have been open in our communication at all times through our newsletter, which is
distributed to all parents and learners, while ensuring maximum protection to the affected
individuals.

The school has implemented the following actions:

CCTV cameras were installed during the course of 2016 to ensure the safety of all
students at the school.
The footage captured on CCTV was reviewed by a Senior Boarding Master, who
immediately alerted the principal of the school, who along with the chairman of the
school governing body together went to the school and reviewed the footage
Upon seeing the footage, and the unlawful incident, the SAPS were contacted and
immediately responded, arresting the perpetrator, an assistant boarding master.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) was contacted and have been involved
throughout this process.
Ongoing counselling and phycological support has been provided to the learners and
parents throughout.
The school body was addressed and a newsletter sent out, regarding the code of
silence and that in matters involving crime must be brought to the attention of the
school.
An independent investigator was appointed to ensure 100% transparency throughout
the process.
Parents and learners affected have been met with and updated of the situation
constantly.
School policies and procedures are being revised to ensure that the constitutional
rights of learners are always maintained, and these are communicated to all learners,
parents and staff.
The Senior State Advocate has requested and been provided with specific
information, and will at all times be kept in the loop.
 Names of learners and parents have been withheld to ensure anonymity throughout
the process, and this will be maintained.

As a school, we have zero tolerance for any form of crime against, or threat to, our learners
at any time, and we are co-operating with authorities to ensure the full might of the law is
enforced.

Nicholas Greyling
Chairman School Governing Body