Limpopo teacher due in court for repeated rape of pupil

A Limpopo teacher has spent the weekend in police custody after being arrested for allegedly raping a female pupil on several occasions. The man is set to make an appearance before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday 17 May 2021, and will likely apply for bail.

The 50-year-old man is believed to be an educator at a local school in Sibasa, Thohoyandou. The incidents are alleged to have occurred in 2018, when the female pupil was only 17.

While the name of the school has not been confirmed, some are reporting its Mbilwi Secondary School. The name should ring a bell – it’s the same high school which was attended by Lufuno Mavhunga, the pupil who committed suicide after video of her assault by a fellow learner, went viral on social media.

The teacher faces three counts of rape and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has said it is still investing the matter.

The woman filed rape charges against her former teacher in April. According to police, the suspect had threatened to cause harm towards the victim if she broke her silence and had also offered her money.

“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 thereafter threatened the child and then offered her money to keep her silent,” said SAPS Limpopo spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo of the case.

Limpopo MEC: The teacher must be brought to book for rape

Reacting to the case, Limpopo Community Safety MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya welcomed the teacher’s arrest for rape.

Lerule-Ramakhanya has called for the suspect to remain behind bars until the matter has been finalised before the courts.

“MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya says harsh penalties must be imposed on perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide. The MEC has condemned the sexual abuse of a learner by someone who was supposed to guide and protect her. She is lobbying for the perpetrator to remain locked up until the end of the trial,” the MEC’s spokesperson Mike Maringa said.

“The MEC is encouraging people who may have had similar experiences to come out and report. MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya and her Social Development counterpart MEC Nkakareng Rakgoale are on the drive against the scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide in the province”