Medical report triggers arrest in Johannesburg South school rape case
Police arrested a staff member after a medical report confirmed the assault of a seven-year-old girl at a primary school.
Mondeor SAPS is investigating a case of rape following a disturbing incident at a primary school in Johannesburg South.
A staff member allegedly assaulted a seven-year-old girl.
According to Johannesburg District SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshetlhane, the incident happened on May 21 at a local school. A case of rape was opened at Mondeor Police Station the same day.
“The suspect, a 31-year-old man, was arrested on May 27 after police received the doctor’s medical report confirming the assault,” said Lieutenant Colonel Tshetlhane.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, a rape case was enrolled at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court on May 29.
The matter has been postponed to June 5 for address verification. The accused remains in custody.
The case has emerged during National Child Protection Week, a time designated to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding children from abuse.
Department of Education responds
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) stated that the child’s mother reported her daughter was assaulted by a general assistant at the school. The alleged incident reportedly took place in one of the school’s cloakrooms.
The school, identified as Laerskool Dalmondeor, allegedly only became aware of the case when police arrived on May 27 to arrest the staff member.
“The GDE takes allegations of this nature extremely seriously. The safety, protection, and psychological well-being of all learners remain our foremost priority,” the department said in a statement.
Gauteng MEC condemns incident
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane strongly condemned the incident, saying it was heartbreaking that a child could experience such trauma in a place meant to protect and nurture them.
“This is a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen protective measures in all learning environments and ensure that no child is ever subjected to harm while under our care,” said Chiloane.
The GDE confirmed that the accused will be precautionarily removed from his position at the school while investigations continue. The department has also committed to offering psycho-social support to the learner and her family.
Laerskool Dalmondeor takes action to protect learners
In response to the incident, Laerskool Dalmondeor has announced several immediate steps to strengthen safety and support for learners:
Increased surveillance: Additional cameras will be installed in corridors and near bathroom entrances to improve monitoring across the school.
Revised break schedule: Break times for all grades will now run simultaneously, allowing for better supervision by assigned prefects near bathrooms and other key areas.
Enhanced gate security: The school is hiring more security personnel to control access and ensure the safety of all learners throughout the day.
Support programmes: The department’s School Social Services team will provide ongoing support to learners. After the school holidays, the Department of Correctional Services will run behaviour-focused workshops for Grade 6 and Grade 7 learners.
The school says it remains committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for every child.
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