Sex scandal rocks Hoërskool Waterkloof

Advocate Sean Hefferman, who represents the complainants in the sexual misconduct case against Hoërskool Waterkloof Principal, Chris Deneyesshen, says he is concerned about the delays in the matter.

Deneysshen is accused of sexually grooming his alleged victims, who are learners at the school, and forcing them into calling him Papa D.

He is also alleged to have remarked that the learners wear provocative attire, which exposes their shoulders and knees.

Deneyesshen, who has had sexual misconduct charges brought against him by at least three complainants over nine months ago for allegedly sniffing learners hair and inappropriately hugging them, was removed from his post at Hoërskool Waterkloof this past Thursday for the second time.

Advocate Hefferman has expressed alarm about the air of complacency in resolving the situation, stating that it has been delaying for too long.

“I think the public might get the impression that we might have initiated it from our side but that’s not true. The suspension was as a result of further investigations conducted by the Gauteng Department of Basic Education. They decided to do a further removal period, pending the outcome of the arbitration hearings,” says Hefferman.

He emphasises that his clients’ objective is not to harm the school’s image, but rather to remove the rot within it, hence taking action against Deneyesshen.

Parents, learners, and teachers demand efficiency in the dealing with the matter.

Deneyesshen has denied the allegations levelled against him and is currently stationed at the Education Department’s Tshwane South District Office as a precautionary measure after he was accused of interfering with witnesses at the school.

“He will remain there until the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings which are being managed independently by the Education Labour Relations Council, which is the institutionary body responsible for overseeing such incidents. This development forms part of an ongoing disciplinary process stemming from serious allegations of improper conduct previously levelled against the principal,” says Gauteng Education Spokesperson, Steve Mabona.

Despite the ruckus, however, some parents of learners at the school are rallying behind the disgraced principal.

The parents, who collectively call themselves the Trots Kloof Parents, have slammed Deneyesshen’s suspension, saying it’s a disturbing ploy to dent his image.

They claim that it is in violation of proper legal processes and are demanding clarity.

They say they will be writing to the provincial Education Department, requesting an explanation on why he principal has been suspended for a second time.

“We as the Trots Kloof Parents of a groups of 1 500 parents on a WhatsApp group, are strongly against these allegations on the principal. We don’t want him to be removed or placed in another district. We really feel that he is good for our school and our kids,” says one parent, Dr Jurin van den Heever.

“Our principal is coming back to the school. We are not even worried, that’s why we are standing totally behind him. He is coming back. All of this is just a witch-hunt and we know the truth. It’s coming out soon,” says another parent, Lizel Smith.

The Trots Kloof Parents told YNews that learners at the school know nothing about the accusations against their principal and that they are saddened by his absence.

They have heaped praise on his leadership at the school, saying Hoërskool Waterkloof is one of the top performing schools in the country because of him.

Some ordinary South Africans have also cautioned against people making quick judgments in the matter.

“It was right for the principal to be suspended, but while matters into the case are being probed, they are going to need to proof that indeed he harassed the kids,” says one citizen.

Despite this, however, the parents of learners who allege that Deneyesshen exhibits inappropriate behaviour on them want him out of the school for good.

While a verdict is not yet out on the matter – the claims underscore the need for measures to protect children in schools. According to the Education Labour Relations Council’s 2024/2025 report, 111 abuse and sexual harassment cases across the country were reported during this period – which represents a 35.4% increase from the 82 cases reported in the previous year. Written by Odirile Rabolao