Alleged rape of Limpopo girl (5) by scholar transport driver condemned
A 44-year-old scholar transport driver was arrested on a charge of rape after he allegedly raped a 5-year-old girl on her way home from school.
LIMPOPO – The Limpopo MEC for Education Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya and the provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe have condemned the alleged sexual assault of a 5-year-old Grade R learner from the Mopani West Education District.
The learner, who uses parent-initiative scholar transport daily, was allegedly assaulted by the driver responsible for taking her home from school last week.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incident took place in Hlabine village in the Maake policing area on April 8.
“The suspect is said to have raped the child after picking her up from school. He reportedly dropped off the other children as usual and instead of taking the victim straight home, he parked on the side of the road and raped her in the vehicle,” Ledwaba said.
He added that the suspect threatened the victim not to report the incident but on arrival at home, the toddler informed her mother.
“A case of rape was opened, which was transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses Unit for further investigation and the suspect was arrested at his residence the following day.”
Lerule-Ramakhanya said parents are strongly advised to vet the drivers who transport their children to school in instances where learners are not using departmental scholar transport.
