He slashed her tyres: The harrowing seven-year ordeal of Vanguard Primary School's principal
The principal of Vanguard Primary School, details seven years of harassment from a colleague, highlighting the inadequacies of the Western Cape Education Department's response.
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The Principal of Vanguard Primary School in Welcome Estate, who was appointed in 2019, has faced ongoing harassment from a WCED-appointed employee for seven years.
The principal, who asked not to be identified in fear of victimisation, said the alleged harassment included: trying to force a petition for her removal, posting threats on the staff chat, threatening her with gangsters and "muti," threatening her family, slashing her tyres, spreading malicious rumours, falsely accusing her of stealing and losing documents, and telling people she is on drugs.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has since confirmed that it was aware of the allegations and that a mediation process was pursued.
“Our district office was informed of the latest incident this week, and the matter has been reported to our Directorate: Employee Relations,” said Millicent Merton, spokesperson for the WCED.
“In 2025, district officials provided support, and a mediation meeting took place when previous incidents were reported. At the time, the principal opted not to pursue the matter further.”
Despite following discipline protocols and reporting the matter, the Principal told the Cape Argus that she felt ignored and unsupported by superiors, with a dragging process at district level.
She detailed that the issue had led to prolonged stress and hospitalisation and the need for a psychiatrist.
The staff member received only one warning in August 2025, which, due to the six-month expiry, meant she has since opened a case and obtained an intimidation order.
The Cape Argus may not mention the staff member’s name or the role he plays.
“In my first year as principal, and because I was a newly appointed principal, I focused a lot on team spirit. They needed to get to know me, and I needed to know them. I treated everybody as part of a team. No matter what I did, he didn’t want to be part of that team," she said.
“Harassment included: trying to force parents to sign a petition to get rid of me, posting threatening messages on the staff chat group to me, threatening me that he knows many gangsters and they store their guns at his house, my family was threatened, my wheels were slashed, I was threatened with ‘muti.’
"He encouraged other staff to buy from this ‘muti.’He accused me of stealing school money and told people I’m on drugs and I’m not fit to run the school. He’s going to get rid of me.
“This ongoing harassment put me in hospital twice. I’m seeing a psychiatrist now.
“The furthest that the WCED district went was when the labour division from the district came to school to speak with him in 2025. He was given a warning. It only lasted six months. When he started harassing them again, they started the progressive discipline process again."
The SGB confirmed awareness of the workplace challenges since 2019, noting that while they attempted mediation, tensions have escalated, including recent public victimisation.
"Throughout this period, the SGB has endeavoured to support the school leadership and staff as best as possible within the scope of its mandate," the SGB said.