How to lodge a complaint

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1.  WHO CAN LODGE A COMPLAINT?

  • an educator;
  • a learner;
  • any member of the community;
  • they may also be lodged on an anonymous basis;
  • by the Department of Education officials;
  • the media; etc.

 

2.  HOW TO LODGE A COMPLAINT?

It is highly preferred that all complaint be in writing and signed by the complainant, his or her legal representative, union representative or any other person lodging the complaint on behalf of the complainant; and

  • It may be faxed, e-mailed, posted or hand delivered;
  • Complaints may also be lodged via telephone
  • A complaint must be comprehensive and must contain all the relevant dates, facts, supported by relevant documentation and other evidence
  • the following information must also be supplied:
    • The complainant’s name, mail delivery address and contact telephone numbers,
    • if the complainant is representing a victim, the name of the victim must also be included.
    • Should a complainant wish to remain anonymous, the following information must be supplied in full;
      • name of the person (s) against whom the complaint is lodged;
      • name of the school involved
      • if a learner is involved, the name of the learner, the school wherein he/ she is attending and the grade wherein the learner may be full particulars regarding the complaint (what happened)
      • date of the incident, etc

A letter of complaint should be forwarded to Chief Executive Officer, South African Council for Educators (SACE), Private Bag  X 127, Centurion 0046 .

The letter may also be hand delivered to Chief Executive Officer, South African Council for Educators (SACE), 240 Lenchen Avenue, Centurion 0046 or it may be emailed to ethics@sace.org.za. 

(Click here to see a sample Letter Of Complaint)

 

3.  PROCEDURE IN DEALING WITH A COMPLAINT?

On receipt of the complaint,

  • it is registered (a file is opened and a case number allocated);
  • the person complained of (alleged accused is informed about the allegations against him/her) and
  • request for a written reply with regards to the allegations within 10 days and in some cases within 5 days depending on the nature of the complaint;
  • a letter will also be send to the other parties mentioned in the allegations, including the complainant;
  • once a response is received, it is read and a recommendation will be prepared for the Ethics Committee;
  • Ethics committee guides the processes and will determine whether a complaint warrants;
    • An investigation
    • Mediation
    • Discipline
    • Refer complaint to the relevant authority or body such as the Department of Education (DoE), Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), South African Police Services (SAPS),
    • Further advise as to how a case should unfold, etc

 

4.  TYPES OF OFFENCES

The following offences are not limited or exhaustive

  • Petty offences
    • Verbal abuse
    • Alcohol Abuse
    • Unruly behaviour
    • Undermining of colleagues
  • Severe offences
    • Sexually related acts
      • Rape
      • Statutory Rape
      • Love relationships with learners
      • Sexual Relationship with Learner
      • Sexual Assaults
      • Sexual Harassment
      • Sexual Coercion of learners
    • Intimidation
    • Theft
    • Fraud
    • Corporal Punishment
    • Assault and use of violence
    • Insubordination
    • Abscondment
    • Damage of property
    • Unauthorized use of property
    • Employment of unregistered educators

 

5.  A DISTICTION BETWEEN ETHICAL MATTERS AND LABOUR OR EMPLOYMENT RELATED MATTERS

  • A distinction ought to be drawn between ethical matters and employment related matters.
  • Employment matters are those matters that have everything to do with conditions of service
  • Ethical matters are those matters that are stipulated in the Code of Professional Ethics for Educators