A 58-year-old teacher, accused of repeatedly raping a 13-year-old Grade 7 learner at a primary school in Makotopong near Polokwane, is expected to apply for bail at the Mankweng Magistrates’ Court today.
The teacher allegedly committed the offenses multiple times from July of the previous year.
Following his resignation, internal investigations by the Department of Education into the teacher's conduct have been halted.
The arrest of the teacher occurred last month after the school principal reportedly caught him with the learner in the school office and subsequently filed a rape charge.
Since the incident, community members have come forward with allegations suggesting the teacher may have also raped three other minors over a period of years.
Community leader Michael Lekota has expressed the community's distress and called for increased security measures at schools. "The teachers are parents of our kids. So, if they are the ones who are doing this to our kids, we don’t know anymore where to go," Lekota stated. He also voiced concerns about the initial search for the teacher. "We need security at schools. I think that one can help our kids."