Swellendam teacher and friend face charges of statutory rape involving minors
A Swellendam teacher and his friend face serious charges of statutory rape involving two minors, highlighting a troubling trend of educator misconduct in the Western Cape.
Image: FILE
A Swellendam teacher who is a prominent figure in his community and in the realm of entertainment, together with his friend are facing a charge of statutory rape relating to two young boys aged 15 and 16.
The case comes in the wake of the Education Labour Relations (ELRC) revealing that for the current financial year April 1 to date, it received six cases of alleged sexual misconduct in the Western Cape involving educators.
Education watchdogs and authorities said they were concerned with the growing increase of teachers involved in alleged sexual crimes against learners and called for a vetting process.
The teacher, who may not be identified in order to protect the identities of the boys, made an appearance at the Swellendam Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on charges of statutory rape together with his co-accused following their arrest on October 6.
The state is set to prove that the accused, both the ages of 42, allegedly raped the victims at the Swellendam Cemetery.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed his arrest.
“Detectives attached to Caledon Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit arrested two 42 years old men on October 6 in connection with the alleged rape of a 15 and a 16-year-old boy at the Swellendam cemetery, perpetrated on the night,” he explained
“It is alleged that the boys were taken to the cemetery by the suspects where they consumed alcohol together. The suspects then shared and violated both boys.”
A former Harvester Primary School teacher made a brief appearance in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate's court where she faces charges of sexual grooming.
Image: Kim Swartz
Their arrest comes as former Harvester Primary School teacher accused of sexual grooming of a child and exposing a child to explicit material made her latest appearance at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The 35-year-old woman, who is currently out on R5000 bail, appeared in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates' Court on Thursday. The matter was postponed to October 24 for a decision by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions as the investigation is complete.
She is accused of allegedly sending an explicit video of herself to a Grade 7 learner earlier this year.
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson, Millicent Merton said they were made aware of the case: "A complaint involving an educator was reported and is currently under investigation.”
Riedwaan Ahmed, Provincial Chief Executive Officer, National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) said they were alarmed.
“NAPTOSA has noted with great concern and is deeply disturbed by the increase of reporting cases involving teachers accused of sexual offences against learners," it said.
“It highlights the urgent need for stronger vetting processes, ongoing professional development on ethics and child protection, and to report misconduct without fear."
Vanessa Le Roux of Parents for Equal Education called on the WCED to focus the alarming increase: "As an organization, our biggest concern is how lightly the department is taking cases of sexual nature by Teachers so lightly, to the point where they absolutely nothing."
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