A former water polo star and the niece of ex-Springboks coach Nick Mallett has resigned as a teacher and sports coach at a top South African school amid allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an 18-year-old student.
According to South African media reports at the weekend, 30-year-old Fiona Viotti left Bishops Diocesan College in Rondebosch unexpectedly last week with the school announcing it had started an investigation into allegations of "serious misconduct".
Viotti, who was in charge of water polo and swimming at the school and coached the under-14A rugby team, was allegedly involved in a sexual relationship with a final-year pupil at the R150,000-a-year ($16,000) school.
According to the Sunday Times, Bishops principal Guy Pearson sent a note to concerned parents, saying: "Bishops is currently investigating allegations that there has been serious misconduct by one of its teachers. The teacher has resigned with immediate effect and the school is conducting a full investigation."
Viotti reportedly married long-time partner Pavo Viotti late last year. She is the niece of Nick Mallett, who coached the Springboks between 1997 and 2000.
