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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 36-old teacher from Pinagare High School in Taung has been suspended pending rape allegations. It is alleged that a learner (15) from the same school visited the accused who is a family friend at his residential area in Kgatlheng village near Taung on 22 February 2021.

According to information, a teacher who is of Ghanaian origin allegedly made sexual advances to the alleged victim before raping her. Later on, the parents of the alleged victim called the suspect and enquire about the whereabouts of the girl.

One of our sources said: “The suspect allegedly confirmed the presence of the girl and her parents came to fetch her. It is alleged that the parents found the girl who was on her period in the bedroom of the suspect.

“The victim alleged that the suspect raped and threatened her not to tell anyone. The victim told her parents about the ordeal and cried hysterically in the car. The parents went to the police station to open a rape case.”

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said: “We can confirm that a rape case is under investigation and the suspect was arrested. His first court appearance was on 24 February 2021.

“The suspect was granted a R500 bail on 9 March 2021 by the Taung Magistrate’s Court during his formal bail application.”

North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said the teacher concerned has been put under a precautionary suspension pending the investigation. Malindi said the department has received only two rape cases against teachers in the province thus far.

“Our message to learners is that they should not keep quiet whenever they experience any violation. They should report to their parents about the matter or inform the school principal or a teacher that they trust most. They are free to call the Office of the MEC (018)388 5600,” he said.

Minister of Department of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga received strong criticism from the section of the society, after she made remarks at the Prospectus High School in Pretoria earlier this year that ‘educated men do not rape.’

However, Motshekgwa poured cold water on the matter and said told said her comments were made in relation to Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Motshekgwa said in a statement that: “Rape is indeed about power, hence the department has programmes to educate the boy child to appreciate the importance of how to deal with power relations between men and women from a young age.

“Therefore, my remarks must not be taken out of the context of educating children to develop them to become better people. Men need to be educated about how to deal with power, patriarchy, and negative or toxic masculinity. Educating men about power relations is also important also in the fight against rape,” she said.

Motshekgwa said regarding the reaction of the learners, she was not going to debate because the purpose of her remarks was to encourage them to be educated on GBV including educating them about women’s abuse.

Various organizations embarked on a peaceful march to the school and demand that the suspect be suspended pending the investigations.

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