1. (a) The matter came to the SACE’s attention via a newspaper article on 23 January 2017.
2. Yes, the SACE investigated the matter on 7 March 2017.
(a) The outcome of the investigation was that there was sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations that the principal had indeed assaulted the now deceased learner.
(b) The SACE served the principal with the charges to appear before a disciplinary hearing on 21 April 2017. The hearing was postponed at the request of the principal as he was appearing in an internal disciplinary hearing of the Department of Education.
(c) The hearing against the educator will take place on 23 May 2017.