Thandiwe almost vomits when she thinks about the last conversation she had with Principal Jobela. She tries to avoid being alone with him but she doesn’t need to try hard. Principal Jobela has been too busy lately, he rarely leaves his office.

The day Thandiwe has been dreading comes. Principal Jobela asks her to see him in his office after school regarding some forms that need her signature.

“Apologies, Thandi, for calling you into my office so late. I didn’t want us to be disturbed,” Principal Jobela says, moving his hand up to Thandiwe’s chin after she comes into his office.

“Eh, Principal…please stop calling me Thandi. Call me by my surname instead,” Thandiwe says, gathering up courage. She pulls her head back to avoid Principal’s touch.

“What’s wrong now, Thandiwe? Who’s influencing you against me? Are you dating one of the teachers here?” Principal Jobela yells.

“No! Principal,” Thandiwe says, jumping back towards the door. Principal Jobela grabs her arm and pulls her to him.

“Where do you think you’re going? You’re ungrateful, you know that? Who would have hired you without teaching experience? Come here,” Principal Jobela snarls, twisting Thandiwe’s wrist behind her back. He pulls it up and she wails for help. He pushes her forward onto the desk, not caring about the papers and other stationary. He presses his arm on Thandiwe’s back, making her bend over with her chest and face flat on the desk.

“Scream all you like but you’re wasting your time. Who’s going to hear you? Everyone left. And who’s going to believe you when you report me? You want to be lonely and sad like Sonjana for trying to get the beloved Principal fired?” Principal Jobela growls, unbuckling his belt and unbuttoning his trousers.

The door flies open when he has just dropped his trousers. He turns around in horror to see Miss Sonjana at the door with a cell phone in her hand.

“What do you want here? Aren’t you supposed to be at home? Give me that phone,” the principal yells in shock. He jumps at Miss Sonjana, his hands going for the cell phone, but she evades him. Miss Sonjana continues to record.

“Rapist! Evil Principal who hides behind a pastor’s collar! Let’s see who’s going to be on your side now! I have proof that you’re a rapist!” shouts Miss Sonjana.

Principal Jobela pulls up his trousers and runs to his car. Thandiwe is sitting in the corner with her arms around her knees, weeping.

“Don’t cry, Miss. You’re safe now. He also tried to rape me and no one believed me when I reported him. There’s proof this time,” Miss Sonjana says, comforting Thandiwe.

Miss Sonjana and Thandiwe report the principal to the relevant authorities. He is suspended while further investigation is being conducted. There’s an acting principal in his place.

The teachers who didn’t believe Miss Sonjana apologise. Some claim they were victims of Principal Jobela too but were afraid to be treated like Miss Sonjana.

Thandiwe continues to teach at Siyakhula. Noma can’t believe what almost befell her daughter.

“No! Principal. You’re evil,” Noma says, clapping her hands in disbelief.

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