By OBAKENG MAJE
A Grade 6 learner at Thuto Botshelo Primary School in Mahikeng, has allegedly been raped. According the North West Department of Education, the learner was allegedly raped by four boys from neighbouring school, Kebonang Secondary School.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said, the incident allegedly took place behind Grade R classrooms on 7 March 2024. Motsumi said upon hearing of the incident, the parents of the learner were informed and a police case was filed by the school.
“The learner was taken to Mahikeng Provincial Hospital and was confirmed to have been sexually violated. We are aggravated by the alleged rape incident. We are calling for a swift investigation to find the perpetrators.
“I am extremely disappointed by this incident to have happened in our schools on our own by our own. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has found its way into schools and we will not tolerate it,” she said.
Motsumi further said not only does this offend the learner, but it also offends the basic values of the country. She is calling for a combined effort with the police, the school management, SGB and the community at large to find these perpetrators, so that due sanction will be levelled against them.
“We condemn this with the strongest possible terms. Both the learner and the family are receiving psychological support from the department and Thuthuzela Care Centre,” added Motsumi.
The Guardian 