- As South Africa faces a scourge of Gender-Based Violence, the leniency by Capricorn TVET Principal in dealing with a sexual harassment case is deeply troubling.
- The DA has written to the Minister of Higher Education & Training to investigate the TVET’s handling of this case.
- The DA will also embark on a probe to assess responses by TVETs to sexual assault cases, including ensuring the Department capacitates TVETs adequately.
The Democratic Alliance has (written) to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr. Buti Manamela, to demand an immediate investigation into the manner in which the Principal of the Capricorn TVET, Mr. Lekau Mamabolo (image), handles sexual harassment cases at the TVET College.
This follows an oversight visit of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training to the TVET College, in Polokwane on the 28th of January 2026. (See reference here)
During this oversight visit, it was revealed to the Portfolio Committee that the institution had a sexual harassment case involving a female student (complainant) and a male tutor appointed by the institution’s council (respondent). The Portfolio Committee was informed that the case was investigated and concluded with findings of guilt on the part of the respondent, which the responded admitted to. The Portfolio Committee was also informed that the sanctions imposed by the institution to the respondent were merely a one-month suspension period and a written warning.
I interrogated the motivation for such a lenient approach by the institution. In response, the Principal and Accounting Officer of this institution, Mr Lekau Mamabolo, made it clear to the Portfolio Committee that he did not seek recourse beyond the investigation recommendations to align the institution with the 2020 Department of Higher Education and Training GBV Policy Framework which declares zero tolerance to sexual harassment within the PSET sector. This is the case even though Section 158(1)(h) of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 affords the Principal the right and freedom to do so.
The Principal further informed the Portfolio Committee that had the victim been his own daughter, he would have handled the matter differently, with more compassion and energy to root out the perpetrator from all fabrics of the institution. This too indicates the Principal’s deviation from the codes and responsibilities outlined in your department’s policy framework.
The Principal’s outlook on GBV and all acts of sexual harassment poses a serious safety risk for all students and employees within the institution. It also indicates that under his leadership, there is no appetite for the institution to apply the 2022 Progress Report on Gender Transformation Investigations in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges compiled by the South African Commission for Gender Equality and its recommendations.
The Department of Higher Education and Training and the Republic of South Africa have declared 0 tolerance for GBV and all acts of sexual harassment. Any actions which fall outside of this declaration have no place in our tertiary institutions.
The Democratic Alliance remains committed to fighting for justice against all acts of crime and human violation. In addition to Capricorn TVET, we will embark on a probe of all TVETs in their handling of sexual assault cases and the support provided by the Department.