Earlier today Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi had given school management until 1pm today to reverse its decision regarding a teacher found guilty of racism.

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says the teacher found guilty of racism has left the employment of St John's College.

Breaking News: We've just received a report from St. John C that the teacher has left the employment of the school with immediate effect — Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) July 28, 2017

Lesufi has welcomed the decision to fire the teacher found guilty of three serious charges including racism at St John’s College in Johannesburg.

The teacher has left the school with immediate effect.

The MEC had earlier on Friday visited the school and held a meeting with School Management Team in which he expressed his disappointment and unhappiness following the decision to retain the teacher, even after he was found guilty following a disciplinary process.

Gauteng Education Department’s head, Mr Edward Mosuwe, the school’s council chairperson, Dr John Patricios, as well as visiting Bishop, Reverend Dr Steve Moreo were also present in the meeting.

The teacher was found guilty of three charges; contravening the South African Council of Educator’s Code of Conduct, making racist and derogatory statements and for bringing the school into disrepute.

Lesufi said the final written warning was unsatisfactory considering the seriousness of the charges and the guilty finding against the educator.

“All schools, whether they are public or private, cannot have codes of conduct that contravene the Constitution of South Africa. We will deal with racism decisively and not give racists space to breathe because non-racialism is non-negotiable,” he said.

Lesufi has applauded the management of St John’s College for meeting his deadline.

“I just want to congratulate them for really handling the matter the way they have handled it after we have met with them and for them for convening an urgent meeting of the council of the school and meeting with the parents of the school.”

He says the school now has to refer the findings against the former teacher to the South African Council of Educators.

“It’s a compulsory process to follow but it’s also upon the school to take the report of the hearing.”

The MEC says his department takes allegations of racism seriously and will not hesitate to act against anyone found guilty of racist behaviour.

Earlier the MEC had given the management of the school until 1pm to reverse its decision regarding the teacher.

The geography teacher had been allowed to continue teaching at the school despite being found to have victimised pupils based on their race. After he was issued with a final written warning, he stepped down from senior positions at the institution and also received a pay cut.

WATCH: Lesufi's ultimatum to St John's on racist teacher