By Everson Luhanga
- Screenshots show a teacher asking a learner about sexual relationships during a late night WhatsApp chat despite the learner repeatedly saying she was still young.
- Ivory Park learners blocked Riverside Road after police arrested a 37 year old mathematics teacher accused of raping a learner during private tutoring sessions.
A learner has come forward with disturbing screenshots of late night WhatsApp chats with a teacher who asked her personal questions about sex.
The learner shared the screenshots with the public but cannot be identified because she is a minor.
The conversation happened in the early hours of the morning.
In the messages, the teacher asks the learner about her private life. The adult asks whether she has ever been with a man and asks questions about sexual relationships.
During the chat, the teacher also makes comments suggesting that once someone becomes sexually active they will never stop.
The learner repeatedly tells the teacher that she is still young and not interested in sexual relationships.
Despite this, the conversation continues.
The screenshots have raised serious concerns about the relationship between teachers and learners and whether proper professional boundaries are being respected.
The messages surfaced at a time when anger is already growing among learners in Ivory Park following the arrest of a teacher accused of rape.
Police arrested a 37 year old mathematics teacher from Ivory Park Secondary School on Wednesday, 4 March.
Officers tracked the teacher down in Birchleigh North after he was said to have been absent from school earlier in the week while trying to avoid police.
The Gauteng Department of Education said the teacher stands accused of raping alearner.
Officials believe the incident happened in December 2025 when the learner was still in Grade 11.
Information shared with the department shows the teacher had offered the learner private tutoring sessions outside school hours at his home.
The alleged rape is said to have happened during one of these tutoring sessions.
The case only came to light when the learner’s mother reported the matter to the school principal on Monday, 2 March 2026.
It is also believed that the learner had earlier tried to report ongoing inappropriate behaviour from the teacher before the case was formally reported.
The arrest triggered protests by learners from Ivory Park Secondary School and JB Matabane Secondary School.
On Thursday, 5 March 2026, groups of learners took to the streets and blocked Riverside Road using stones.
Traffic in the area came to a complete standstill as learners demanded that authorities investigate teachers accused of sexual misconduct involving learners.
One learner who spoke to a local publication without giving their name said the arrested teacher may not be the only educator involved in inappropriate relationships with learners.
The learner claimed that some teachers were taking advantage of girls at school.
Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane said the department is deeply concerned about the allegations.
“As the Department, we are deeply disturbed by these allegations against an educator who is entrusted with the care and development of our learners.
Educators must always contribute towards ensuring the safety, wellbeing and development of our learners at all times.”
The department said it has started internal disciplinary processes and is in contact with the learner’s family.
Officials also said counselling and therapeutic support will be provided to the learner and her parents as investigations continue.
The accused teacher is expected to appear in court soon while police investigations continue.
Pictured above: Learners block Riverside Road in Ivory Park during protests over teacher rape allegations.
Image source: Mfanelo Dzanibe
