A South African school principal has resigned after videos and pictures of him engaging in sexual acts with high school pupils were leaked on social media.
Gregory Fisch, the principal of Reiger Park NR 2 High School in Boksburg, Gauteng province, tendered in his resignation last Monday after the videos and images went viral, reports local news portal Eyewitness News (EWN).
Some of the images shared on Twitter showed the principal allegedly kissing several students in his office while another showed a woman believed to be a member of the teaching staff exposing her undergarments to the principal. One of the videos briefly showed his face while having sex with another pupil.
The leak provoked anger and outrage from the city’s education authorities and parents who condemned the action of the principal. Residents of Reiger Park and some parents gathered outside the school on Monday to demand better protection for the pupils.
Parents protest outside Reiger Park Secondary School following allegations of sexual abuse by the principal @ReporterStar pic.twitter.com/Z8oi0lgsbY
— Sibongile Mashaba (@smashaba) January 29, 2018
The Member of the Executive Council for Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, assured residents and parent that the scandal will be investigated. The Gauteng education spokesman Steve Mabona said the students involved will be provided with counselling.
“Those that must go for counselling will then have to do that. Necessary counselling will be provided to all those that are involved. Our teams will be on the ground to make sure that they get more information so that we take precaution and make sure that this does not happen in other areas,” he was quoted by EWN.
The source of the video is unknown and the police say they are investigating allegations of sexual abuse, as a task force has been formed to handle the inquiry. “Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the appointment of a task team of detectives,” said police spokesperson Lungelo Dlamini.
He added that they are investigating the source of the video which might have been taken some time ago. Many parents are also calling for criminal charges to be levelled against the principal who might be barred from teaching.
#ReigerPark Some parents are also calling for the school governing body to be removed at the secondary school #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/xNUOLcZt2k
— Chriselda Lewis (@Chriseldalewis) January 29, 2018
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga advised parents to teach their children about their rights to speak up when they are sexually abused. She also advised girls to come forward when they are abused.
“Girls feel embarrassed, they don’t speak about it, and that’s how they allow it to continue. Children must also know they are each other’s keepers,” she was quoted by South African news channel eNCA.
This incident comes in the wake of the #MeToo social media movement that started in the United States to encouraged women and girls to expose those who sexually abuse them in any capacity.
Below are some comments from South Africans on Twitter
#digusting pics n video of school Reiger Park.,the school needed a serious prayer n cleansing particularly that offices were AL this calamities took place. Oooooh God please protect our children, what are we really gonna do coz our children needed to study. ?????
— Cigarette in De Rain… (@thabiso99308320) January 29, 2018
I don’t understand why ppl don’t see anything wrong in this.If u hv been 2 #ReigerPark ull understand the conditions a lot of ppl endure there.This gal was probably lured by this guy with material things so it became her lil secret,dat doesn’t make it right
— Nelly Weideman (@nelly_weideman) January 29, 2018
The principal’s small totolozi must be cut off with blunt knife and his balls scrambled ?? #ReigerPark
— Dice (@thembmdaka) January 29, 2018
Another educator said the girls were coming on to him. Why didn’t he be a responsible adult and report them to their parents?#ReigerPark
— louisecee1 (@louisecee1) January 29, 2018
#ReigerPark Please men do not abuse your positions to abuse our daughters and sisters. Many single older mature women out there who are in need of male companionship. Put more energy into that and leave the kids alone!! SikFux
— ipchikovore (@ipchikovore) January 29, 2018
#ReigerPark I am so shook by this. ? children are really not safe anywhere. How could this principal take advantage of this young girl!!!! ? I hope they throw the book at him.
— justzandii (@justzandii) January 29, 2018
Sex with the teacher is assumed consentual. The issue is sex with school girls, and the sex video of a minor I.e. child porn.
I know the principal and the teacher. I once tutored maths/physics voluntarily for Reiger Park High. Every Saturday for 2 years. Greg Fisch & Marlene??— Mzu Sivhada ?? (@MudzungaSivhada) January 27, 2018
The Reiger Park High Principal is disgusting! Imagine how many learners have been victims of this sick pervert throughout the years?! #ReigerParkHigh
— Karabo Mokgoko ? (@Karabo_Mokgoko) January 27, 2018
#ReigerPark My only issue with this whole thing is how these young girls are just victimised rather than being told and being reprimanded for their actions. Yes the principal is wrong but so is she.
— ?⚡️Johnny⚡️? (@JohnRazor6) January 27, 2018
Am completely disturbed by this Reiger Park High story. Even more so by the commentary & encouragement to share the video. There is so much that is wrong on numerous levels. Completely disgusted & saddened.
— Melanie Carmen (@MelanieCarmen) January 29, 2018
The principal of Reiger Park High school, seeing videos of him and students and the cleaning lady.. Sick monster pic.twitter.com/FCKWUPiE3A
— Kemsley Mchunu (@kemsley_mchunu) January 26, 2018
