Parktown Boys’ High School student abuse case postponed
The accused, a former student at the school, allegedly sexually assaulted and raped nine boys aged between 15 and 17.
Image courtesy stockxchnge.com
The matter of a former student employee of Parktown Boys’ High School, who allegedly raped and sexually assaulted learners, was further on Wednesday delayed for further investigation by the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court.
The abuse was captured on CCTV placed at the boarding facility and was subsequently discovered by school authorities.
The 22-year-old student employee was arrested in November 2016 and was released on R3 000 bail a month later. He is facing charges of sexual assault and rape.
On Wednesday, state prosecutor Masindi Ndivhuwo told magistrate Pieter Du Plessis that the state needed more time to finalise the investigation.
Du Plessis told Ndivhuwo that the matter was not complicated as all the witnesses were available and that the postponement was a delaying tactic.
The accused was assigned duties at the boarding house and was also coaching students. He is being accused of inappropriately touching students at the boarding house.
The CCTV footage showed him touching the boys in the common room of the hostel and later in the victim’s bedroom.
The accused, a former student at the school, allegedly sexually assaulted and raped nine boys aged between 15 and 17.
He avoided disciplinary action by resigning from his student employee job at the school as soon as the alleged abuses came to light.
However, a criminal case was opened, which led the arrest of the accused.
The case will be back in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court May 10, 2016.
Outside the courts the school governing body representative, Retha Adendorn, told the African News Agency (ANA) that following the discovery of the alleged abuse, a meeting was held and the code of silence was torn up.
Adendorn said parents and students at the school were encouraged to come forward and assist with providing evidence against the student employee.
Adendorn said the school was providing counselling for everyone who was affected the matter.
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