This is part 13 of my story as I uncover the truth about what happened at St Stithians College (JHB, South Africa) in June 2020, bring the perpetrators and accessories to account, and try to stop the ongoing damage that is being done to children and teachers. Other parts are archived here.
The following letter was sent via my attorney on 13 November 2023.
TO: THE ROUND SQUARE registered charity & company (UK)
ATTENTION THE DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, AND SECRETARY:
O'CONNOR, John Joseph | Chairman & Director & Trustee
DONOVAN, Catherine Mary | Director & Trustee
GIRNAR, Siddarth Singh | Director & Trustee
JAMES, Sally, Dr | Director & Trustee
KULKARNI, Surenda, Lt General | Director & Trustee
MOLONEY, Lisa Jane | Director & Trustee
SANDFORD, Paul Ritchie | Director & Trustee
UPHAM, Rebecca Thompson | Director
VAN NOSTRAND, Cornelius Innes | Director & Trustee
VANCE, William George | Director
HOWISON, Jane Alison | Company Secretary
CARE OF: Rachael Westgarth | Chief Executive Officer
OPEN LETTER & INFORMATION REGARDING ST STITHIANS COLLEGE & DR SALLY JAMES
As you are aware, the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements of The Round Square at 31 July 2022 identify three “principal risks and uncertainties”, one of which is “the risk that a smaller territory within a region or country has a change of education policy, or is affected by geopolitical events, such that all of the schools in the region gradually, one by one, decide to leave the RS community (including by domino effect) over a period of time.”
That statement does not appear to fully address other aspects of geopolitical risks including malfeasant, negligent, and possibly criminal behaviour within one or more schools within a smaller territory. Hence this letter, in which I bring certain matters to your attention and for your consideration.
As you are also aware, St Stithians College (“SSC”) is a South African school and member of The Round Square (“TRS”); Dr Sally James is the head of St Stithians Girls’ College (“SSGC”) and a director and trustee of TRS.
You may not be aware that SSC, Sally James, and other SSC officials, are embroiled in several matters in South Africa.
I am the father of a former student at SSGC and a material stakeholder in SSC. I am recording my story as I expose the truth about what happened at St Stithians between June and December 2020, bring the perpetrators and accessories to account, and try to stop the ongoing damage that is being done to children and teachers.
I brought the first matter against St Stithians, Dr Sally James, Ms Leanne Horwitz, and Mrs Ntombi Langa-Royds, before a Regional Court and despite their efforts to have the matter thrown out or my claims diminished, the court ruled in my favour and the matter is proceeding.
For background, on 31 May 2020 the Head of the Girls’ College, Dr Sally James, made false, unfounded, and defamatory allegations against my daughter. My daughter was forced, during the pressure of her matric year and COVID lockdowns, into a sham trial and biased disciplinary process which on 23 June 2020 found her NOT guilty but sanctioned her anyway. The sanctions included further race-based bullying and expulsion suspended for 6 months.
On 5 October 2020, the independent chair of the appeal ruled in my daughter’s favour, dismissing both the findings of guilt and the sanctions imposed. The Senior Advocate's findings were scathing of the college, its officials, and its processes, and highlighted the possibility of damaging consequences for my daughter.
My daughter is now suing St Stithians and the abovementioned officials for negligence and malfeasance in a separate matter at the High Court. She also has the right to bring criminal complaints against the perpetrators.
It is contextually relevant that I mention that attempts to bully my daughter continue to this day, with SSC officials spreading lies, and false or misleading information including misinformation* and disinformation* about her 2020 matter to members of the school community and members of the public. You will no doubt hear those same lies.
The propensity of St Stithians College and its officials to rely on fake evidence, fake narratives, misinformation, and disinformation, is disturbing and has been used to bully, intimidate, and initiate not only my daughter but other students, teachers, and staff. Several teachers were bullied to the extent that many moved to other schools or have sadly left teaching as a career.
I foresee that we won’t be the last litigants.
I wrote to PwC South Africa motivating that they consider the previously unknown contingent liabilities in the financial affairs of St Stithians. A redacted copy of the letter dated 3 July 2023 is attached.
I attach a redacted copy of my letter dated 1 August 2023 to the rector of St Stithians, Mrs Celeste Gilardi, in which I call for the suspension of Dr Sally James. I have had no response. As I have already pointed out to Mrs Gilardi, SSC, and PwC, Mrs Gilardi suffers from conflicts of interest.
I wrote to the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) calling for sanctions against SSC and its officials in their personal capacities. A redacted copy of the letter dated 26 October 2023 is attached.
I am recording my story at martinhumphries.substack.com where a copy of this letter will also be published and made available, if relevant, in any legal proceedings.
Intimidating and indoctrinating students is illegal in South Africa, with severe consequences for the person or group perpetrating such activities. SSC and SSGC in particular have been knowingly active in this area to the extent that class-action-styled lawsuits are being considered.
This is in addition to the illegal amendments to parent contracts and related documentation which I mention elsewhere, and which may also be challenged in the appropriate manner.
On 25 and 26 October, news broke regarding a Ponzi scheme with an epicenter at SSC and The Old Stithian Association (OSA). Early numbers being reported indicate R3 billion (say £150 million) and 2,000 families affected. I am now receiving personal stories of teachers and families that are very disturbing and include South Africans in the UK and beyond.
Many people are starting to ask many questions. For instance, has SSC or any of its officials benefitted from the proceeds of crime? Are there connections between the Ponzi scheme and the school capture project? Time and multiple forensic investigations will tell. This article confirms my suspicions that the FSCA will be involved.
I also note that TRS’ annual financial report states “each RS member school raises funds to support RS’ charitable activities”. I trust that any such funds in SSC’s name have not flowed from BHI Trust and Warriner or his associates.
Having also read the very impressive statements in the reports and website of TRS that promote Living the Round Square IDEALS, I’m wondering if you agree that SSC and Sally James may not be living up to those IDEALS?
And does their behaviour meet with the approval of UK standards of governance and the many requirements of the institutions comprising His Majesty’s Government?
If TRS condones and supports the actions of SSC and Sally James, will TRS be willing to underwrite any negative outcomes?
Will TRS inform other member schools, and will it inform parents of prospective exchange students?
Please acknowledge receipt of this letter. If I do not hear back from you within 14 calendar days, I will assume that you have chosen to ignore the letter and initial questions, while also reserving my rights to take further and or alternative steps.
Please note that in the public interest, a redacted version of this letter will be available on my Substack and elsewhere.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Humphries
Attachments:
Redacted copy of my open letter dated 3 July 2023 to PwC regarding its client St Stithians College.
Redacted copy of my open letter dated 1 August 2023 to the rector of St Stithians, Mrs Celeste Gilardi, calling for the suspension of the head of girls’ college.
Redacted copy of my open letter dated 26 October 2023 to the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) calling for sanctions against SSC and its officials in their personal capacities.
* Misinformation and disinformation are both terms used to describe false or misleading information, but they differ in intent:
Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is shared without the intention to deceive. It can be spread unintentionally and includes mistakes, rumours, or inaccuracies that people may share, often without realising their falseness.
Disinformation, on the other hand, is deliberately false information spread with the intention to deceive, manipulate, or mislead others. It's often used for political, ideological, or malicious purposes and is a form of propaganda.
The key difference lies in intent: misinformation is not intentionally false, while disinformation is deliberately spread to mislead or harm. Both can have significant real-world consequences and pose challenges for information accuracy and trust.