A 50-year-old high school teacher who is accused of raping a 17-year-old pupil has resigned.
Limpopo department of education spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene said a report by its human resources department said the male teacher at Mbilwi Secondary School accused of rape had tendered his resignation.
“The resignation was accepted and processed accordingly. He has since been removed from our system,” she said.
“We deem accusations against him serious and worrying. As parents we leave our children in the care of educators to build and nurture them into responsible adults.”
Chuene said the idea of one of them taking advantage of children in this alleged manner is most disturbing and she hoped justice prevails in this case.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said the suspect appeared before the Thohoyandou magistrate's court on Tuesday and his case was postponed until Thursday for formal bail application and for further police investigations.
“It is alleged that the suspect raped the victim who was in grade 12 on several occasions during 2018. In one of the incidents, he reportedly offered to assist her with extra lessons but instead took her to a lodge where he allegedly raped her,” he said.
Mojapelo said the educator thereafter threatened the child and then offered her money to keep her mouth shut about the incident.
“The victim eventually opened a case of rape in April this year at the Thohoyandou police station. Members of the SAPS family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit immediately took over the case and after a lengthy investigation, the suspect was then arrested,” he said.
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