Educator appears in Pinetown court after learner accuses him of rape
The 55-year-old was remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, May 3.
HUNDREDS of learners from a high school in Clermont, parents and members of the community marched to the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday where an educator appeared, accused of raping a 17-year-old learner.
The learners carried placards reading, “The rapist must rot in jail”.
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“We are here to make sure that he does not get bail,” said a matric learner.
“He has been doing this for years. We are glad that he has finally been arrested and we want the law to take its course,” alleged the learner.
The crowd blocked the court gate and police had a hard time removing them.
Community leader Lungelo Sithole said they marched to the court to support the victim and give her assurance that the community was behind her.
“Being raped by a teacher is just unacceptable and disgusting. The court should know that we do not want the perpetrator back on our streets. We hope that other victims can come forward,” said Sithole.
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KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lt/Col Nqobile Gwala said the 55-year-old educator was arrested by KwaDabeka police after the alleged rape of a 17-year-old learner on Friday, April 22.
“According to the information received, the victim was going home with her school mates in the afternoon when the suspect called her and asked her why she was leaving because she had an extra class to attend. The victim complied and she went with him to the office, where he raped her. The matter was reported at SAPS KwaDabeka where a rape case was opened for investigation,” said Gwala.
The suspect is being detained at the KwaDabeka Police Station and is expected to appear again in court on Tuesday, May 3.
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