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The support of AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit for Laerskool General Beyers’ school governing body (SGB) chairperson Themba Mthembu and teacher Jealous Ngobeni has resulted in the variation of an interim order allowing Mthembu conditional access to the school property. Fellow teacher Wesley Barnard, who was mentioned in a parent petition to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), filed a protection order against Mthembu, barring him from entering school grounds and effectively preventing him from performing his duties as SGB chairperson. Barnard also filed a protection order against Ngobeni, another member of the SGB, claiming harassment, interference in his daily work, and interference in school management issues.

Mthembu approached the unit for assistance because the bad relationship between the SGB and the now suspended principal Rabia Nuruddin, and the failure of the GDE to act, was interfering with the school’s proper functioning. The unit assisted Mthembu in filing criminal charges against suspended principal Rabia Nuruddin for alleged abuse of school resources. Advocate Gerrie Nel, the head of the unit, supported by Advocate Phyllis Vorster represented Mthembu and Ngobeni in the Pretoria Harassment Court on Wednesday, 9 April. The matter was postponed for hearing until 30 June 2025.

The transfer of the principal to the Department’s Head Office comes after Mthembu filed a criminal complaint at the Pretoria West police station against Nuruddin in January, accusing her of illegally using an official school credit card three times during the December 2024 school holidays.

The day after the GDE suspended Nuruddin, Barnard and two other teachers allegedly removed several items from the school. Mthembu then filed theft charges against Barnard and others. The interim order obtained ex parte was served on Mthembu and Ngobeni on 4 March 2025.

The school made headlines in November last year when the Hawks descended on the school and reportedly seized evidence. This related to a matter reported to the Hawks relating to abuse and misappropriation of school resources.

Barry Bateman, the unit’s spokesperson, says: “The GDE’s failure to act decisively on the matters reported to them resulted in one teacher applying for an unusual and unnecessary harassment order against a fellow teacher and the chairperson of the SGB, which had to be defended in court. Mr Ngobeni desires nothing more than to teach without interference, while Mr Mthembu is keen to proceed with the excellent work the new SGB has done so far.”

Advocates Nel and Vorster will ensure that all the replying papers are filed, that all the relevant facts are presented to court, and will represent Mthembu and Ngobeni on 30 June 2025.

Issued by AfriForum