NOMVELO MKHWANAZI
Durban - More alleged victims are expected to file charges against a high school teacher who appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Police said the man was arrested on Friday after it was alleged that on March 16, a 16-year-old was raped by the 55-year-old man in Clermont.
“A case of rape was opened at KwaDabeka SAPS and the docket was transferred to Pinetown FCS Unit for investigation. The suspect was arrested on April 22,” said police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo.
The teacher appeared briefly, where the State said it would be opposing bail and asked for a postponement to May 3.
The State says it is opposing bail because the accused could interfere with victims; his life could be in danger as the community was angry; and that more pupils have made the same claim against him.
Outside court clad in full uniform, pupils from the school carried placards calling for the teacher to be denied bail. The pupils were singing revolutionary songs, with the suspect’s photograph pasted on to the placards with the words “Sekwanele Manje” which translates to “it’s enough now”.
Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the department had zero tolerance for educators who preyed on pupils that they have been entrusted to look after.
“They have been entrusted to look after them while they are in their care but instead some see girlfriends, instead of pupils, and some rape them. We know how serious a crime rape is in this country. As the department, we have taken the necessary steps and written a letter of suspension to the teacher. If the allegations against him are indeed proven true, the department will not hesitate to take further disciplinary actions.”
Founder of Operation Bobbi Bear Jackie Branfield says that it is a disgrace when teachers hurt school pupils while they should be protecting them.
“Teachers are supposed to be the parents to our children in schools. I cannot think of any worse crime and betrayal. They are supposed to protect and teach the children, not abuse them,” she said.
Ward committee member from Clermont, Lungelo Sithole, alleged that the suspect had previously been arrested for a similar crime.
“The suspect was arrested back in 2011 also on rape allegations, but he was then granted bail. We will make sure that he doesn’t get bail, we will make sure that justice is served.
“We are pleased with the State’s decision to oppose bail, but we are not happy that he will go back to KwaDabeka SAPS cells for custody,” said Sithole.
It is alleged that the teacher would seize the pupils’ cellphones at school and ask them to come fetch them at his home, but to come alone.
The pupils outside court said that they wanted justice to be served and the accused not to be granted bail.
SA Democratic Teachers’ Union provincial secretary Nomarashiya Caluza said the union’s local leadership confirmed that they were aware of the arrest.
“The law must run its course because teachers know, even adults from the community know, that this is wrong. It is so much more worse when it’s a teacher. We now leave the matter in the hands of law enforcement.”
National Teachers’ Union general secretary Cynthia Barnes said the union could not condone the misdeeds of teachers alleged to have raped children.
“Those are children, whenever children get to school they are going to their second parents.
“So we assume that teachers at schools are the parents of the learners. So if a teacher can rape or do something to a child, that must never be tolerated and we can never condone it as a union.”
Daily News