Durban -
A 53-year-old social worker has been arrested and suspended after a 15-year-old girl said she was raped at a KwaZulu-Natal children's home.
KwaZulu-Natal social development MEC Weziwe Thusi said on Friday that she had ordered the immediate suspension of the man who worked at the Princess Mkabayi and Youth Care Centre in the northern KwaZulu-Natal town of Nquthu.
“I am deeply disappointed and angry that this happened in our facility where vulnerable children are supposed to feel safe,” said Thusi.
“What makes this case even worse is the fact that the girl was removed from her home because she had been raped, and the alleged perpetrator is a man entrusted with looking after these children, a man who had been doing this work for many years.”
Police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane said the man was expected to appear in court later on Friday.
He said the girl had been playing cards with friends when she was called to the social worker's office and allegedly raped.
“He told her not to tell anyone, but the victim reported the matter and the suspect was arrested for rape,” said Zwane. - Sapa