A Free State teacher has been arrested after allegedly raping a grade 12 learner in a school storeroom.

The Free State spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, said the teacher (30) who joined the school two years ago was arrested on Thursday (3/10) after raping the Dr Viljoen Combined School learner (17) in the store room of a Grade 3 class on Wednesday (2/10) around 11:00. 

The arrest was reported at the Park Road police station in Bloemfontein after the learner reported the ordeal to a relative. The incident which took place days before the beginning of the 2024 matric examinations has raised concern about the safety of learners in schools. Free State Education MEC Julia Mabuya has welcomed the arrest of the perpetrator.

Dr Viljoen Combined School in Bloemfontein: Photo: Facebook

“Any violation of a child’s safety and dignity is an affront to our collective humanity. We must condemn such heinous acts with unequivocal force and ensure swift justice. Our schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not havens for predators. We owe it to the survivors, their families, and our future generations to create a society that protects, empowers, and upholds the rights of every child,” she said.

Ndaba said psycho-social support has already been given to the parents of the learner and will not only be extended to the victim and her Grade 7 siblings but also to all the Grade 12 learners. 

‘Teacher must face the wrath of the law’

Mabuya has called on the court not to grant bail to the teacher. She said the teacher must face the wrath of the law and added harsh penalties must be imposed on all the perpetrators of gender-based violence(GBV).

Mabuya said the rape of a learner by a teacher is a betrayal of trust, a travesty of authority, and a stark reminder of failure to safeguard the vulnerable. She said the department must take action to address the systemic failures that enable such atrocities and work tirelessly to create an environment where every child feels safe valued and protected.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg