Among the joys of matric results and the chaos of the schools opening after the December holidays, social media was abuzz the last couple of weeks with the story of Kelly Manus, a teacher who claims a colleague touched her inappropriately.
The matter erupted when Kelly told her followers on the video-sharing app, TikTok about the incident at the school where the male teacher touched her behind. According to Manus’ account she laid a complaint with the principal, who happens to be the alleged offender’s husband.
After laying the complaint, she alleged’s, she was victimised and eventually was not appointed to a position she claims she qualified for.
She also claimed that her case wasn’t appropriately investigated and that she is a victim of a cover-up.
Her TikTok video has had more than 1 million views and was shared thousands of times online and people were up in arms. This rage came to a boil last week when community members in Belhar marched to the school where they demanded to speak to the principal and demanded justice for Manus. A petition was also handed over to a representative of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
Support
With close to 1 000 locals travelling from neighbouring communities and as far afield as Atlantis, Mitchells Plain and Macassar joining the Belhar community of parents, learners and activists, the peaceful march saw the handing over of a list of demands to a department representitive.
A large crowd had gathered outside the school gate well before the 10:00 start time and moved back to start the official march from Symphony Way to the school gate in Accordian Street.
The crowd demanded the principal and alleged perpetrator collect the document and address them, however they were not on the school premises that day.
Anastasia Williams, who assisted in managing the march organised by a popular Belhar online community group, called for calm ahead of the march on Friday.
“This is still a school, and teaching still needs to go on. It is supposed to be a peaceful protest, so let us just bear that in mind, especially when it comes to the noise and the disruption of classes. We do have students that have made the decision to join in and that is their constitutional right, but it is also their constitutional right to learn and get an education,” she says.
Community activist Damaris Kiewets, who is a former resident of the area, says she joined the protest because Kelly is the “tip of the iceberg when it comes to sexual harassment”.
“The injustice to Kelly is injustice to so many that are not willing to speak and because I am an activist, I will make my voice known for those who are voiceless. An injury to one is an injury to all. An injustice to Kelly as a woman is an injustice to every woman,” she says.
Response to claims
The WCED released a statement refuting some of Manus’ claims.
“The WCED was made aware of a social media post by a former teacher. We immediately investigated the claims made. The individual claimed that they were unfairly discriminated against due to the fact that they had complained about a fellow educator, who was also the principal’s husband. They alleged that they did not get their contract post converted to a permanent post because of the complaint against a fellow educator and that the school did away with their post,” reads the statement.
The WCED gave clarity on some other claims:
- Their appointment was not converted because she did not qualify for conversion. The process is regulated in terms of the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) Collective Agreement 2 of 2024. Through this process, all contract appointments in vacant and funded substantive educator posts could apply for conversion.
- The individual was not in a vacant and funded substantive post. She was appointed in an ad hoc post (substitute post) which does not qualify in terms of the Collective Agreement. Her contract was always due to end on 31 December 2024.
- The school followed the correct procedures in this regard.
- The individual did lay a complaint last year regarding sexual harassment. The WCED Labour Directorate requested to meet with them to initiate formal proceedings.
The WCED also indicated that they did not want a formal disciplinary hearing. “The WCED continued to engage in the matter informally given the serious nature of the allegations, and the alleged educator was cautioned. There had been no prior nor subsequent complaints regarding this educator.
“She is (also) not unemployed and have been appointed in another post at another school. We appeal to the public not to disrupt teaching and learning as a result of the social media post.
“Our children must have the opportunity to attend schools in a calm environment without disruption. There are always two sides to a story, and it is important that we hear all sides of a story before passing judgement,” reads the statement further.
