The 38-year-old teacher accused of allegedly raping a Grade 10 pupil from Umqele Secondary School last week has handed himself over to the police on Wednesday.
The alleged rapist went on the run following the reporting of the incident to the District.
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo confirmed that the suspect handed himself in at Tembisa Police Station on Wednesday.
Masondo said the teacher has been charged with rape and is expected to appear at the Tembisa Magistrate Court on Thursday.
Inside Education reported on Wednesday that the alleged rapist was caught in the act by another teacher.
The learner was taken to the doctor for medical examinations by the school principal Friday last week.
The learner’s parents opened a case against the teacher at the Ivory Park Police Station.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said he welcomed the arrest.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said disciplinary proceedings against the alleged rapist are already underway.
Mabona said the MEC is a firm opponent of any violence, particularly gender-based assaults on learners.“We are not going to tolerating such incidents in and around our schools,” said Mabona.
Mabona said the man will also face a charge of absconding as he had left work without permission.
“We always had faith and trust in the police to ensure that the suspect ends up behind bars. We leave all the matters in the capable and trustworthy hands of our judicial system and trust that justice will prevail,” he said.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) also called for swift action to be taken against a the teacher.
The union is deeply concerned about this incident as it dents the image of our noble profession.
Tseliso Ledimo, SADTU Provincial Secretary said this situation also instils fear and anxiety in schools which are supposed to be safe havens where quality teaching and learning should take place.
“We expect the due disciplinary process to be completed as soon as possible.
“We also call on law enforcement institutions to deploy the necessary resources to subject the alleged perpetrator to the due process of the law,” said Ledimo.
