A 62-year-old teacher from Gauteng, Gwinyai Makaure, has been dismissed from his position after being found guilty of sexually harassing a grade 9 female pupil. The incident occurred in March 2025 during class hours at Pokelano Secondary School in the west of Johannesburg, where Makaure was a technology teacher. The Educator Labour Relations Council (ELRC) issued the ruling against Makaure following a hearing that detailed his inappropriate advances towards the minor.
According to testimony presented during the arbitration, Makaure called the learner outside while other pupils were working on their projects and asked her friend to bring him a chair. He then invited the victim to sit on his lap to take a selfie, which she refused. Makaure subsequently instructed her to come to his office, where he made further advances, grabbing and touching her hand, and telling her that he “wanted her” and wanted to date her.
The pupil reported the matter to her friend and subsequently to her class teacher, Motshidisi Mokoena, who escalated the complaint to the deputy principal’s office. Makaure was charged with contravening the Employment of Educators Act and initially pleaded not guilty when proceedings commenced in September 2025. However, he later refused to cross-examine the complainant, and the arbitrator, MJ Siavhe, accepted her testimony as true.
Makaure opted not to challenge the complainant’s testimony, which was corroborated by two other witnesses, including the complainant’s friend and her class teacher. Despite his initial plea of not guilty, Makaure later expressed shame for his actions and requested time to talk to his family. He tendered his resignation on August 9, 2026, but the Gauteng department of education proceeded with the case.
The Gauteng department of education called corroborating witnesses, including the complainant’s friend and her class teacher, who showed to be coherent and reliable and did not contradict one another. The department’s representative argued that Makaure must be found guilty as charged, despite his resignation, and that his conduct warranted immediate dismissal due to the severity of the misconduct.
In his concluding remarks, the arbitrator, MJ Siavhe, emphasised that Makaure’s conduct was unacceptable and that the employer does not tolerate educators who prey on school kids. Siavhe declared Makaure unsuitable to work with children under section 120(4) of the Children’s Act and ordered his name to be added to the National Sex Offender Registry.
The dismissal of Makaure serves as a warning to educators who engage in such behaviour, highlighting the importance of protecting learners from exploitation and abuse. The Gauteng department of education has demonstrated its commitment to creating a safe learning environment for all students. Makaure's actions have severe consequences, reflecting the gravity of his misconduct.
Key points
- A 62-year-old teacher was fired for sexually harassing a grade 9 pupil in Johannesburg.
- The teacher, Gwinyai Makaure, made inappropriate advances towards the minor during class hours.
- Makaure's name will be added to the National Sex Offender Registry, and he is declared unsuitable to work with children.
