Johannesburg - Some sexual predators in Gauteng schools are under the age of 10.
This is according to Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, who was answering questions from the DA spokesman on education Khume Ramulifho in the legislature on Tuesday.
Ramulifho asked Lesufi how many cases of rape had been reported at schools in Gauteng over the past five years. He also wanted to know how the department was dealing with these cases, especially in primary schools.
Ramulifho also wanted to know if there were any support systems in place to assist victims, the alleged perpetrators, fellow pupils and teachers when such incidents occur.
In his reply, Lesufi said the alleged perpetrators in primary schools were under the age of 10.
Lesufi also said the province had recorded five cases over the past five years. While he didn’t mention the schools in his reply, The Star understands that one of the schools is in Vosloorus. Two girls were allegedly raped by six boys at the school. Another school is in Pretoria, where another gang rape took place in June. The other schools are in Mohlakeng outside Randfontein and in Soweto.
Charges against the suspects, Lesufi said, were still pending.
He added that the department’s protocol document “Guidelines and procedures for dealing with suspected and confirmed cases of child abuse” offered teachers and districts and head office officials guidelines on how to deal with these cases.
“The department has provided all schools with a set of exemplar policies for adoption by school governing bodies. Included in that is the School Safety Policy, which provides minimum standards that must be observed by schools in managing sexual abuse-related matters,” Lesufi said.
“Support systems are in place to assist victims, alleged perpetrators, fellow learners, parents and teachers in case of rape. The department has also established a psycho-social support directorate to manage and support individuals involved in such incidents.”
Lesufi said these cases were dealt with by district institutional development and support officials as well as the education operations and support divisions. He said the two divisions were working in partnership with the parents and caregivers as well as school-based support teams for effective reintegration of victims and the perpetrators into the schools.
“The victims, perpetrators and their families are referred to the Department of Social Development or specialist organisations like Teddy Bear Clinic, Kidz Clinic and Childline for forensic and social work intervention. Fellow learners receive trauma debriefing from pastors and district-based psychologists,” Lesufi said.
He also took a swipe at the media for exposing young people to sexual acts.
Materials of a sexual nature were easily accessible in South African media, the MEC said.
The Star