Parents, teachers, and community members picketed outside Symphony High School in Belhar, is support for teacher Kelly Manus. Manus, who alleges sexual harassment by a colleague and claims unfair treatment regarding her employment, sparked outrage after her viral TikTok videos. Henk Kruger/African News Agency (ANA)
THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is facing backlash for circulating its social media policy to staff - a move some interpret as intimidation.
The action follows the public’s outrage after Belhar teacher Kelly Manus publicly accused a colleague of alleged sexual harassment and criticised the WCED for alleged inaction.
Manus, who taught at Symphony High School for three years, alleged that in November 2023, a male teacher, who is also the principal’s husband, allegedly slapped her on the bottom.
Manus shared her experience of alleged sexual harassment on social media.
Police confirmed that a case of common assault was under investigation following an incident on November 24, 2023.
The WCED has denied Manus's claims that it failed to support her in addressing the case.
Earlier this month, several community members and political parties gathered in front of the school, holding placards with messages such as “Stop harassing teachers and kids” and “Justice for Kelly.”
Parents for Equal Education founder, Vanessa le Roux, said teachers reported receiving the WCED's social media policy following Manus’s case and they interpreted this as an attempt to intimidate staff and silence dissent.
The policy states, among others: “Whilst recognising the constitutional protection of freedom of expression, the WCG, as a responsive employer, deemed it necessary to articulate the employer's expectations for responsible personal and private social media use. In this regard the WCG Social Media Code of Conduct, amongst others, seeks to inform employees about how to prevent actions that would harm the employer's reputation and highlights potential consequences that could result.”
“Employees (as citizens) are encouraged to raise awareness about service delivery challenges experienced by utilising the official complaint mechanisms created by the relevant department for that purpose. If employees are approached by members of the public on their private social media channels with complaints about their departments, employees are encouraged to refer complainants to the relevant official complaint's mechanisms.”
Following reports of the policy being sent to teachers, Le Roux addressed a letter to Premier Alan Winde.
“Her (Manus’) only sin was that she reported what happened to her in the workplace. Let me caution you to something that all of you clearly lost sight of, because yes, numerous teachers have reported to me, that they suddenly received your so called media policy, but.. while you think you live in a monarchy, the rest of the Western Cape is living in a democracy, we have rights, and we will exercise it to their full exten(t),” Le Roux’s letter stated.
“As the people governing this province, claiming they don't tolerate sexual harassment/abuse in the workplace, or anywhere else, you are doing quite a lot to cover up what happened to this teacher, going as far as handing out policies. Before I take on any position, I am a woman, and if my rights and body are being violated, I have every right to speak out, clearly you don't take that into account, so your so-called GBV campaigns means absolutely nothing, I suggest you divert that resources to appoint more teachers, that is what is needed, not PR exercises, when you clearly have no intention of protecting our women and young girls.”
WCED spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond said most major companies or governments have social media policies for staff.
“The Western Cape Government released a new Social Media Code of Conduct in 2023 for all Provincial Government employees, including educators.This was circulated to all schools in 2024, with a request to inform all staff, including educators.”
Hammond denied that the policy was sent to staff to intimidate them following Manus’ incident.
“To insinuate that this is a reaction to one teacher’s post is disingenuous and without any merit. The WCED is continuing to engage with the educator and has requested a meeting to discuss the allegations raised on social media.”
Labour Lawyer Elton Rochert said: “From the employer’s point of view they may see it as protecting themselves by reminding staff that a policy exists. Members of the public may see it as they are intimidating people from speaking. Normally the court will ask if there is a policy and if the employee was aware.”
Winde’s office said he had no comment on Le Roux’s letter.
Cape Times
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