WARNING| GRAPHIC CONTENT: Learners from St Bernard High School in Bloemfontein have made public allegations of sexual harassment against several teachers. The claims include receiving inappropriate text messages and explicit images.

The matter came to light after a social media post by 19-year-old Lesedi Mohlakoana went viral. This led to an outpouring of similar allegations. Mohlakoana stated that cases have been opened with the police.

Five of the learners were in matric last year. One was in Grade 10; she has since transferred to another school and left Bloemfontein.

Mohlakoana recounted an incident involving a school camp facilitator, “Last year, I was a matriculant at Bernard High School and a facilitator that was facilitating our camp inboxed me and sent me nudes.”

Another learner, Mapaseka Feldman, described receiving an inappropriate video. “A teacher sent me a video of a girl twerking and I showed it to my classmate and she said maybe the teacher thought it was me and I said why? If it was me, he did not have a right.”

Kedibone Mokopu, 20, alleges that a teacher sent her nude pictures. “The very same year, he started sending me nudes. I then showed my friend this is what is happening. Then she suggested that I should block him, then I did block him. And then he said I should visit him and spend time with him, then I refused to do that.”

VIDEO | Cases opened against teachers at Saint Bernard High over sexual assault allegations:

Kgomotso Mokobe, 19, says fear prevented them from speaking out while still at school.

She described a physical encounter with a teacher: “When he told me about his feelings, I was just uncomfortable and he closed the door. As I was to reach out for the door, he went to the door and pulled me. When I was reaching for the door and he pulled me and forcefully hugged me.”

Free State Department of Education spokesperson Howard Ndaba confirmed two alleged perpetrators have been suspended pending investigations.

He says the department was unaware until the allegations surfaced on social media.

“As the department, unfortunately, we were not aware until this incident was brought to our attention via the social media. As a school, as a district, as a department, we saw some of these allegations on social media and immediately contacted some of these learners. So far, we have contacted about five of these learners.”

Ndaba adds that another teacher was recently dismissed for an unrelated sexual harassment matter.

The EFF assisted the victims in opening criminal cases.

The party’s provincial chairperson, Coach Liphoko, says they interacted with the parents. “We saw it fit that we act on behalf of the former learners; it cannot be right that our kids are not feeling safe at schools and old people are taking advantage.”

The teachers involved were located by SABC News but declined to comment.

VIDEO | Learners at Free State High School allege sexual harassment by teachers: