Rape of Gr 12 learner: Free State teacher arrested
A 17-year-old Grade 12 learner was raped in a storeroom earlier this month, allegedly by a 30-year-old teacher.
The Free State Education MEC, Dr MJ Maboya, has welcomed the arrest of a teacher who allegedly raped a 17-year-old Grade 12 learner.
The incident took place in the storeroom of a Grade Three class earlier in the month at around 11:00. The department confirmed that the incident took place at the Dr Viljoen Combined School.
The MEC has instructed the school to grant the learner special concession and find an alternative venue for the learner.
Education spokesperson Howard Ndaba mentioned that psychosocial support has already been given to the parents of the learner and that it will be extended to her sibling as well as all Grade 12 learners.
“The 30-year-old teacher, who joined the school two years ago, was arrested on Thursday after the parents of the learner laid a rape charge with Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein on Wednesday evening,” Ndaba added.
Maboya has called on the court not to grant bail to the teacher. “Any violation of a child’s safety and dignity is an affront to our collective humanity. We must condemn such heinous acts with unequivocal force and ensure swift justice.
“Our schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not havens for predators. We owe it to the survivors, their families, and our future generations to create a society that protects, empowers, and upholds the rights of every child,” Maboya said.
Maboya strongly feels that the teacher must face the wrath of the law and added that harsh penalties must be imposed on all the perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide. The MEC condemned the sexual abuse of this learner by someone who she said ‘is supposed to protect and guide her’.
Details surrounding court proceedings were not known by time of publishing.
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