By Levy Masiteng
An educator accused of raping a nine-year-old Grade 4 learner at Busisiwe Primary School in Zola, Soweto, appeared in the Protea Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, as Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile called on communities to unite against sexual abuse and gender-based violence.
The court appearance followed the educator’s arrest after he reportedly handed himself over to police on Wednesday evening.
The outcome of Thursday’s proceedings could not be independently confirmed at the time of publication.
The allegations have sparked outrage among parents and community members, who gathered outside the school earlier this week to demand accountability and answers about how the matter was handled.
Maile attended the court proceedings on Thursday.
In a statement, the Gauteng Department of Education said the government had established a coordinated intervention involving the departments of Education, Social Development and Health, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other child-protection stakeholders.
“The protection and recovery of children affected by sexual abuse require coordinated and compassionate government assistance,” the department said.
Maile called on families, educators, religious leaders, communities and civil society organisations to work together to prevent child abuse and gender-based violence.
“It takes a village to raise a child, and it equally takes a united village to protect a child,” he said.
“We cannot allow moral decay, sexual violence and the abuse of vulnerable people to become normalised in our communities.”
He urged communities to allow law enforcement authorities and the judicial process to take their course without interference or prejudice.
Maile also appealed to the media to report responsibly, stressing that the learner’s identity, dignity and wellbeing must be protected throughout the proceedings.
The case came to public attention after allegations emerged that the learner had been sexually assaulted on the school premises.
According to reports, the alleged incident occurred on 8 October, when the learner reportedly asked to go to the toilet during class and the educator allegedly followed her.
The learner’s family subsequently raised concerns about the incident, while parents questioned the school’s response and demanded action against the educator.
On Tuesday, 20 October, parents and community members protested outside Busisiwe Primary School, expressing concern over the handling of the allegations.
Reports also indicated that the learner had been reluctant to return to school following the alleged incident.
The Gauteng Department of Education dispatched officials to investigate the matter.
On Wednesday, the department confirmed that the educator had been placed on precautionary suspension pending the finalisation of internal disciplinary proceedings.
The police investigation is separate from the department’s internal disciplinary process.
The department said the coordinated intervention would continue throughout the judicial process and beyond, with the aim of safeguarding the learner’s emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing.
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education also condemned the allegations and called for swift justice and stronger safeguards to ensure that schools remain safe environments for children.
“Any act of violence against a child within a school environment, particularly by an educator, constitutes an egregious breach of trust and the law,” committee chairperson Joy Maimela said.
The educator remains accused, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
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