On Friday, a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) teacher appeared in court on a rape charge, where it’s alleged he forcibly penetrated an 11-year-old pupil.
KZN teacher accused of rape
According to News24, the suspect was ironically arrested on Youth Day (Thursday 16 June) after the pupil had told her mother about the incident that allegedly occurred a week earlier.
Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed, in a statement, that the 53-year-old suspect had allegedly threatened the girl against telling anyone about the ordeal she may have suffered.
“It is alleged that on 9 June 2021 an 11-year-old girl was at a school in Madadeni when she was raped by one of the teachers in the school toilets. She was threatened with death should she report the matter to anyone,” Gwala noted.
At this time, no updates have surfaced regarding the outcome of the 53-year-old’s initial court appearance.
This is a developing story.
Sexual abuse in schools is on the rise in South Africa
Data on the amount of active cases involving sexual abuse in schools is hard to come by but according to the Department of Education, it has become a ‘constant feature’ in society.
“Many of our schools have become violent and unsafe environments, particularly for the girl-child. It is also unfortunately a matter on which there has been a resounding silence from society.
“A recent study sponsored by UNICEF entitled ‘A Study of School Response to Violence and Harassment of Girls’ shows that sexual abuse is not limited to ‘dysfunctional’ schools but cuts across society. It is found in former Model C schools as well as in schools in poor communities. The report also captures the very real fear with which many of our children go through school,” the department noted.
Furthermore, according to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), a charity organisation in the United Kingdom (UK), “children may not always be aware that they are in an unhealthy relationship, particularly if they are being groomed.”
“It’s vital to build safe and trusting relationships with children so they can speak out about any problems they are experiencing. This involves teaching children what abuse is and how they can get help,” the charity group advises.