Limpopo police commissioner condemns alleged rape of 17-year-old learner by teacher

Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers has condemned the alleged rape of a 17-year-old learner by a teacher at her school.

Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers has condemned the rape of a 17-year-old learner allegedly by a teacher at her school.

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the 32-year-old teacher was arrested after the incident, which took place on September 2 at about 7.30pm in one of the villages in the Ritavi policing area.

According to police, the learner received a phone call from the teacher asking her to collect stationery on behalf of a friend. He allegedly told her he would be waiting for her on the street.

When she arrived, the teacher allegedly asked her to get into his vehicle.

Police claimed that he drove a short distance before stopping along the roadside. He allegedly then moved to the back seat, where the learner was seated, and reportedly raped her inside the vehicle.

The learner did not immediately tell her mother about the incident because she was afraid.

The matter was subsequently reported to the police, and the learner was taken to a local hospital for a medical examination, said Ledwaba.

The docket was transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Tzaneen for further investigation.

The teacher was arrested and appeared before the Ritavi Magistrate's Court on Monday, September 21.

He was granted R1,000 bail and is expected to return to court on November 12, subject to his bail conditions.

Scheepers said teachers occupy a position of trust and responsibility towards learners in their care and that any abuse of that trust would not be tolerated.

"It is disturbing that a person entrusted with the education and safety of our children could allegedly commit such a heinous act against a learner.

''Police in Limpopo will ensure that this case receives the necessary support to ensure a successful prosecution," said Lieutenant General Scheepers.