By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Gauteng Education MEC, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, has made an impassioned plea to law enforcement agencies to up the efforts in hunting for a teacher who allegedly raped a learner at Umqhele Secondary School on Friday 14 May 2021.
“I call on the police to use all resources at their disposal to hunt the educator who is on the run after allegedly raping a learner,” the MEC said.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) became aware of the alleged rape of a Grade 10 learner by a teacher when the matter was reported to the District last week Friday.
“We have availed our Psycho-Social Unit to provide psycho-social support to the affected learner and those close to her,” said Lesufi.
Lesufi further confirmed that a case was subsequently opened by the police on 15 May 2021 but the suspect has not been arrested as yet as he is allegedly on the run.
“Furthermore, as the GDE, we have already begun disciplinary processes against the alleged perpetrator.
“We will immediately report him to all regulatory bodies and add the charge of absconding as well, and, as a precaution, he will not be reporting at school but at the District Office until further notice,” Lesufi added.
He said the GDE, we will never tolerate nor condone any sexual relations or harassment of learners by educators and any of their officials.
“We will never allow educators or officials to abuse the privilege, given to us by millions of parents across the province, of providing care to all young people in our education system.
“We reiterate our absolute faith in the South African justice system and believe that anyone found on the wrong side of the law will face full consequences.
“We also commend the school for the professional manner in which this whole matter was handled – including immediately informing the parents and taking the victim for immediate medical attention. The school’s action will go a long way in ensuring that the law enforcement agencies have adequate evidence to do their jobs properly.
“While being appreciative of the anger of young people in and around Ivory Park, including the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) about the alleged sexual offence; we call on the learners to put their faith in the justice system and desist from further disrupting schooling as the matter is being investigated,” he said.
