Gauteng Department of Education to probe allegations of sexual assault involving scholar patroller
We encourage learners never to listen to anybody who tells them not to tell, for fear of victimization.
Official Statement by GDE:
Gauteng Department of Education offering counselling to learners sexually assaulted by a scholar patroller.
The Gauteng Department of Education working with other stakeholders has dispatched officials to AB Xuma Primary School to facilitate counselling of learners, who were allegedly sexually assaulted by a scholar patroller.
The teams will ensure that the intervention is conducted in line with the prescripts of the Children’s Act, Sexual Offenses Act and Child Protection Protocols.
The matter was reported to the Orlando Police Station and the said patroller was arrested on Monday, October .9 It is paramount to note that his services were terminated with immediate effect.
MEC Panyaza Lesufi said “These allegations are indeed disturbing. We are actually disappointed.”
It must be noted that officials are currently at the school to establish the facts around the incident, however, it is alleged that the patroller sexually assaulted about 54 learners.
The department has a zero-tolerance stance on allegations of sexual assault and has never hesitated to act where allegations of this nature are proven true.
We encourage learners never to listen to anybody who tells them not to tell, for fear of victimization.
Learners must report such incidents to their parents, police or any other trusted figure of authority so that necessary action can be taken accordingly.
We can confirm that the screening of Scholar Patrollers is conducted by the Department of Community Safety, it is important noting that, an investigation on the appointment of this scholar patroller has been launched thereof.
It is unfortunate and regrettable that this incident occurred within the schooling environment, where learner’s safety is a priority.
Social Media Platforms for News:
Twitter: @SowetoUrban, Facebook: Soweto Urban News, Instagram: @SowetoUrban
News site 1: Westside-Eldos Urban News, News site 2: Soweto Urban News
