The Democratic Alliance (DA) can today confirm that a 51-year-old educator, who allegedly raped a 13-year-old learner and then gave her medication in the hope that the pregnancy would be terminated, remains behind bars.
This after the man was remanded into custody in Melmoth and later moved to the Eshowe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS). While the name of the school concerned is also known to the DA, we will withhold this information for now in the interests of the young learner.
The DA is deeply disturbed by these claims. In the event that they are true, this most heinous crime of child rape and possibly even attempted murder cannot be fobbed off and if the alleged perpetrator is found guilty, the justice system must ensure that he is locked up and the key thrown away. At a time when the country is reeling from such acts of violence against women and children it is unforgivable that we are now witnessing yet another example of how unsafe our children are, even with those we entrust to them for so many hours in a day.
The DA expects KZN Education MEC, Kwazi Mshengu, to urgently verify that there are no educators in the employ of his Department who appear on the sex offenders list. Furthermore, he must assure the people of our province that any person found guilty while in the employ of the Department – and who ends up in jail – will be barred from ever coming near our schools or any such facility in KZN where there are children. Whether he will do this is anyone’s guess.
With the educator expected to appear in court soon for a bail hearing, the DA is hopeful that if there will be sufficient evidence to ensure that bail is denied. This is critical in order to avoid all manner of repercussions, from returning to the community and possibly interfering with the child concerned to his own life being put in danger if community members decide to take matters into their own hands.
The DA will today write to both the province’s MECs for Education and Health. We expect Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu to ensure that the child concerned receives the best possible care as well as proper and adequate counselling. As far as MEC Mshengu is concerned, we expect him to ensure that in the event that bail is granted, this particular educator is prevented from entering any of KZN’s schools premises.
The DA has already submitted a written parliamentary question to MEC Mshengu about sexual offences and attacks in schools. We expect him to obey the rules of the Legislature and respond promptly. This is no time to drag his feet.
We will continue to keep a close watch on this matter. In addition, we will work closely with our DA Women’s Network (DAWN) in KZN in the hope that additional support can be provided to the family through this body.