A teacher at Thembalethu Primary School has been temporarily suspended by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), pending investigations by the Labour Relations Directorate.
This follows a video that went viral on social media platforms, where one learner was without food while the rest of the class was enjoying a ‘pie day’.
Also see: WATCH: Internet reacts to video of boy with no school pie lunch
Speaking to BONA, WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that the WCED is aware of the video clip and has temporarily suspended the class teacher.
“The video was recorded by the class teacher and shared with the class’s parent group, purportedly to highlight that the learner was the only learner excluded from receiving goods purchased through a fundraising initiative.
“It has since been established that the teacher had in fact purchased the fundraising item for the learner, who received it after the filming of the video. The manner in which this was done, however was totally inappropriate,” said Bronagh.
Upon seeing the video widely shared on social media, internet users went into a frenzy, wanting the teacher to be named and shamed for this action. This resulted in a protest that broke out in front of the school, where the protesters were demanding answers.
Also see: How you can help your children make friends this upcoming school year
“There was a protest outside the school. WCED officials engaged directly with protesters, and teaching and learning continued throughout the day.
“The teacher is currently not at school. The WCED has taken the decision to temporarily suspend the teacher, pending a formal investigation by the Labour Relations Directorate. There has been no previous disciplinary transgressions in the past by the teacher.
“The learner and the learner’s parents have been offered counselling support arranged by the WCED. The WCED remains committed to ensuring that all learners are treated with dignity and care, and that appropriate professional conduct is upheld at all times. A thorough investigation is now under way,” said the spokesperson.
Watch:
WATCH: The internet is abuzz after Thembalethu Primary School teacher recorded herself shouting children while eating and one child had nothing to eat, boy covered his face as the teacher continued to record.
On the video she says the is nothing she can do as the mother of the… pic.twitter.com/e7sozoOQxA
— PSAFLIVE (@PSAFLIVE) March 10, 2026
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