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What happens when teachers use their positions to prey on those they are supposed to guide and teach? Such is the case at a high school in Dundee, Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Colonel Thembeka Mbele, a KZN Police spokesperson, explains that a 36-year-old Dundee High School teacher was arrested for raping a 14-year-old girl.
“It is alleged that on 18 February 2022 at 10:30am, the victim was at school premises in Dundee when she was allegedly raped by a known suspect. The matter was reported to the Dundee police and the docket was transferred to Dundee Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for further investigation,” says Colonel Mbele. Further stating that the suspect was then apprehended and charged.
Seeking justice, a group of enraged parents gathered outside the high school in unison on Monday, 21 February 2022, protesting the situation.
In the run-up to the protest, one resident took to Facebook, claiming that the school’s principal allegedly hid in his office after the crime, failing to address the family and apparently failing to provide the necessary counselling for the victim’s family members.
The Newcastillian – Online News contacted the school to speak with the principal about the situation. The school, however, declined to comment and referred the editor to the Department of Education.
The Department was then contacted for comment, but none was forthcoming at the time of publication.
While the school chooses to remain silent, the KZN spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Natasha Kara, explains that the teacher appeared in court on Monday, 21 February 2022.
“The accused appeared in the Dundee Magistrates Court on a charge of rape, and the case was remanded until 28 February for a bail application.”
Endumeni (Dundee) Mayor Cllr Siyabonga Ndlovu stresses that the crime is serious and has seen community members of all walks of life unite under a common cause.
“At the school, during the protest, I saw people of different races and political parties stand together and show unity to voice their anger against the crime.”
However, despite the unity, Cllr Ndlovu highlights that it was concerning to see several people try to fight against the police, attempting to gain access to the school. An action which the Mayor disagrees with.
As the teacher is in police custody, Cllr Ndlovu says, “I have asked people not to block the school so that learners can continue going to class.”
After leaving the protest action, the Dundee Mayor says he learned that the Department of Education could not comment as the matter was under sub judicate. However, he adds that he was dismayed during his time at the court to learn that the accused teacher had committed a similar crime at a Glencoe school before being moved to Dundee High School.
Now, with the court proceedings underway, Cllr Ndlovu says he and the Endumeni Municipality is calling on the Dundee community and South Africans as a whole to make a stand against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and sexual crimes.
“GBV must not be tolerated in our communities, and we must all take a united stance to protect out children.”
Furthermore, Cllr Ndlovu says it must be noted that as teachers play an essential role in our children’s lives, recreating the role of educator and parent during school hours, he says that if they cannot protect our children, who will? Because of this, he says communities must play an active role in ensuring children’s safety.
In addition, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed its concern. The DA KZN Education Spokesperson, Dr Imran Keeka, states, “We have, for a long time, called for the vetting of educators against the sexual offences register, and this, to the best of our knowledge, has not taken place, nor does it. This places learners at immense risk of having been preyed upon by those who are supposed to be their guardians during school hours, and in whose trust they are place for a significant portion of the day.”
When incidents like the one at the high school are reported, Keeka emphasises that immediate action is required, involving the SAPS FCS unit, the Department of Social Development, and the Department of Health.
“We also believe that the Department of Education must also conduct its own investigations, suspensions and must also keep the South African Council of Educators informed at all times.”
Concluding he stated, “Our Schools must be places of safety and not killing and predatory fields.”
What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your views in the comment section below.
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8 Responses
How terrible my heart goes out to the victim and Family
This is becoming a trend in schools..teachers are suppose to protect our kids .,..but no ..they sleep with them…This has happened in Umzinto as well …my heart goes out to those parent’s and pupils ..our kids are angels and no one …I mean no one has a right to abuse them…let these animals face the full brunt of the law…Those parents have .y full support
Schools need to be safety places for our kids. This is not so in SA.
Action needs to be taken in putting process and procedures on male teachers being alone with female students especially.
Students need to be taught early mindfulness so they dont put themselves in situations that compromise their safety anywere.
I say a example needs to be set with offenders.
Just must b there for victims
Death penalty should be implemented in such cases.
Department of education to blame
What was this rapist doing in the school after he had done similar previously
Rapist must be castrated
Remove their manhood, set a precedent, see the decline in
GBV.
Agreed 100%