Department of Education responds to allegations of sexual assault

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Following the case of sexual assault at Rosettenville Central Primary that was reported by the COURIER to the Gauteng Department of Education, it has been concluded.

The COURIER reported on September 9 that a concerned parent was complaining about the 17-year-old boy who sodomised boys at the primary school in August 2014. Her concern was that this matter was reported to the principal and nothing was been done.

The Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane, promised that the department would investigate the matter as they viewed the allegations in a very serious light.

The department responded: “We have conducted investigations regarding the alleged sexual assault at Rosettenville Central Primary, which was first brought to our attention on the August 28, 2014. The department investigated the matter and could not find evidence to support the allegations. The alleged perpetrator was not 17 years old but rather a 13-year-old LSEN learner and is still at Rosettenville Central Primary in the LSEN Class.

“The matter has subsequently been referred to the district psychologist, who is currently offering support to the school in this regard and assisting with placement of the learner at Randeor Special School for the 2015 academic year. The parent of the learner is very pleased with the department intervention,” explained Phumla Sekhonyane.