The Eastern Cape will translate Grade 12 exam papers into isiXhosa and Sesotho for the first time. Photo: Pixabay
Stellenbosch primary school teacher accused of raping 14-year-old learner
A former teacher at Idas Valley Primary School in Stellenbosch resigned after he was accused of raping a 14-year-old pupil. The accused was released on R4000 bail.
The Eastern Cape will translate Grade 12 exam papers into isiXhosa and Sesotho for the first time. Photo: Pixabay
A Stellenbosch teacher resigned after he was arrested for allegedly raping a school pupil. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said the alleged sexual assault took place after school hours and off the school’s premises.
STELLENBOSCH TEACHER ACCUSED OF RAPE
The accused was a teacher at Idas Valley Primary School, in Stellenbosch, at the time of the alleged rape.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the teacher was arrested on 22 September “for an incident that allegedly took place after school and not on the school premises.”
The teacher has since resigned and the WCED deemed his resignation a dismissal. The education department’s spokesperson said support to the affected learner and school is ongoing.
A provincial South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, said the Stellenbosch Family Violence Child Abuse Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) is investigating the circumstances surrounding a sexual assault case at a primary school in Stellenbosch.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Western Cape Eric Ntabazalila said the former teacher appeared before the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court, where he was charged with the rape of a 14-year-old girl.
The accused was released on R4000 bail and he is expected to appear before the court again on Tuesday, 2 November.
IDAS VALLEY PRIMARY RESPONDS
Idas Valley Principal R.H. Williams shared the school’s position on the matter in a statement on Monday, 18 October.
He confirmed that a teacher from the school was facing sexual assault allegations and said the WCED confirmed that the teacher had resigned and is therefore no longer working at the school.
“As this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we cannot provide further comment,” said Williams. “However, I can assure you that as our main focus the school is doing everything in its power to ensure that the necessary emotional support is given to our learners and educators.”
Williams said that the school’s academic programme was not severely impacted by the incident and “is already fully up and running.”
The Idas Valley Principal assured parents that the school would do everything in its power to protect its pupils.
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