An attorney, acting on behalf of parents of pupils attending a top boys' preparatory school in KZN, has written to the governing body asking it not to allow the principal, who is on suspension, to return to his post.

Patrick Deale, of law firm Deale Attorneys, informed Paul Campbell, the chairperson of the governing body of Merchiston Preparatory School in Pietermaritzburg, that ‘a general climate of fear and unhappiness exists among parents and learners’, which was created while headmaster Llewellyn Bragin was there.

He was suspended in September 2023 after some parents and staff members lodged complaints of alleged misconduct against him, which included the bullying of two pupils.

According to News24, Deale told Campbell that parents had heard the disciplinary hearing had been completed, and their information was that Bragin was found not guilty on all charges, except one.

Among the allegations levelled against him were that he snuck into a room occupied by female staff members, while they were sleeping during a school tour, and commented on the way one of them was sleeping, saying, ‘you were spread out like a starfish’.

Other comments he allegedly made to female staff members included: ‘Wow! You look fucking hot’, ‘If you were mine, I would never let you go’, ‘You look so sexy when you are angry’, and calling them names such as ‘lovey’, ‘babe’ and ‘sexy’.

A document outlining the outcome of the hearing, revealed that Bragin was found guilty only of financial misappropriation of funds relating to the use of a petrol card for private use.

Concerning his alleged comments to female staff members, the presiding officer stated he found two of the counts similar, ‘where one needs to ask oneself whether there is a rule against making complimentary comments and clearly the answer is no’.

Meanwhile, Deale stated in his letter, that parents, some of whom were complainants and witnesses in the inquiry, were ‘astonished’ to learn Bragin might have been found not guilty on extremely serious charges.

Parents were asked to indicate whether they had confidence in Bragin returning and leading the school, notes News24.

Of the 425 parents who responded to the poll, according to Deale, eight were in favour of his return, while 417 indicated they had no confidence in having him return.

‘It would be completely untenable for him to return after all the destructive events which have unfolded since his appointment.’

Deale asked the governing body to confirm Bragin would not be returning to Merchiston. Bragin declined to comment.

However, the KZN Education Department's spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, said that, if a person was cleared of allegations, ‘that person must return to work’.

He added that Bragin would be returning to work soon.

Full News24 report