Pretoria – The 24-year-old school guard accused of sexually molesting a Pretoria secondary school learner was found having sexual intercourse with the pupil during a matric ball event, Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi said on Monday.
"The report that we received indicated that when educators did a headcount, or when they were looking for the learner, they were advised on where she could be. It looks like the guard had arranged a separate venue, closer to where the matric ball was being hosted. When teachers went there, the report I got is that they indeed caught the guard in the act," Lesufi said addressing journalists at the school in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria.
"Why he later denied [it], is what our investigation team will work on. That is the part which shocked me. I don't want to cast aspersions on the learner. Reality is that someone [the school guard] was not supposed to be there, he was there and we now know he committed an act that is completely unacceptable."
Regarding widespread rumours that the 17-year-old learner was involved in a love affair with the guard, and that the sex was consensual, Lesufi said he was not an authority on that aspect.
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"We have received that information, that there is an element to portray it as consensual sex, and that it was a boyfriend and girlfriend relation -- I'm not fit and proper to argue that. We have also received information that there are two other girls that are accused of being in relationships with the [same] guard as well. Our full investigation will verify that information," he said after a meeting with the school management, political parties, and community members.
Lesufi said information has also emerged that the security guard had numerous love affairs with learners at a school where he previously volunteered.
Lesufi narrated the circumstances which led to the sexual intercourse between the security guard and the learner.
"The principal has reported that the school left on September 29, for a matric ball at a Bronkorspruit lodge. The event started at around 9pm and the formal activity came to an end around midnight. It was around 2am that indeed something happened and they [teachers] interviewed the learner, but she said nothing happened," Lesufi told journalists.
"Of great concern is that the CPF [community policing forum] patroller was not invited to be part of the school activity. When he was politely asked by the school principal what he was doing there [at the matric ball], he said he had asked for permission from his brother and he had been borrowed a car to the event."
Lesufi said when the school term resumed, the principal called the learner to her office, and this time the pupil cracked.
"The learner was very unhappy that the principal wanted to notify the parents. They went to open a case the following day, and unfortunately the police station turned them back, saying they must go to another police station in Bronkorspruit. I'm emphasising that point because I am completely disgusted with it. Take into consideration the timelines, we needed to protect every timeline for the purpose of gathering evidence," he said.
"When the case was [finally] opened, that is when the police started to move -- to interview the a the relevant people. As a department we unleashed our psycho-social services to provide the relevant support and services to both the parent and the learner, to ensure that all matters are attended to."
On Monday morning, scores of activists were gathering at the school, Lesufi's arrival.
Scores of women in T-shirts written “Siyavuma” [translated to 'we agree'], “CR17” and ANC were at the school ahead of Lesufi’s arrival. Several members Congress of SA Students (Cosas) and #NotInMyName support group were also at the school.
#NotInMyName’s Themba Masango said his organisation has had interactions with the learner, and provided support.