LIMPOPO – In recent years, Mbilwi Secondary School in Sibasa has been considered one of the province’s most prestigious schools in terms of matric results. This reputation has, however, in recent weeks been marred by controversy.
The most recent event occurred on Friday, 14 May, when police arrested a 50-year-old teacher at the school on a rape charge. At the time of the arrest, Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, confirmed this in a statement.
Also read: Limpopo: Teacher arrested for rape of learner (17)
“It is alleged that the suspect raped the victim, who was in Gr 12 at the time, on several occasions during 2018. In one of the incidents, he reportedly offered to assist her with extra lessons but instead took her to a lodge where he raped her. He thereafter threatened the child and offered her money to stay silent,” Motlafela explained.
The teacher appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 17 May, to face three counts of rape.
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions Regional Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the case was postponed to 24 May for formal bail application.
“The teacher will remain in custody,” she added.
The teacher’s legal representative, Adv Ratshilumela Makhera, said they have filed his client’s bail application, and added that the prosecutor in Thohoyandou wants approval from the Director of the National Prosecuting Authority to centralise two more rape charges which occurred in Louis Trichardt, so that they can be heard in one magistrate’s office in Thohoyandou.
“I met the suspect soon after his arrest and was shocked and worried about the matter. He denied the allegation of rape,” said Makhera outside the court.
The Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Tidimalo Chuene, said, when requested for comment, that they are “aware of the arrest of a male educator in the Vhembe East District on allegations of rape”.
“These are serious and very disturbing allegations that cannot be taken lightly. We will give comment on the matter in due course,” she added.
The teacher’s arrest follows just a few weeks after the death of 15-year-old Lufuno Mavhunga, a learner at the school.
Read more: Limpopo teen commits suicide following bullying incident
Mavhunga committed suicide following a bullying incident, which went viral on social media. A fellow learner (15) was captured on video assaulting Mavhunga, while other learners cheered on events.
In an earlier statement, Mojapelo explained that the victim later that day, locked herself in her room and reportedly overdosed on tablets. She was rushed to a local hospital, but was certified dead on arrival, he said. The accused was taken into custody on Wednesday, 14 April.
She faces a charge of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and will be dealt with in accordance with the Child Justice Act.
At this stage, the accused is out on bail which was set at R1 500. She was released into the care of her parents and the case was remanded to 27 May for further investigations.
Read more: #LufunoMavhunga: Girl (15) accused of assault out on R1 500 bail
Education MEC, Polly Boshielo at the time condemned the incident and said: “Education is a societal matter, therefore putting the responsibility on all of us to ensure a safe learning and teaching environment.”
