Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, has expressed concern following the arrest of a 37-year-old Mathematics educator from Ivory Park Secondary School in Ivory Park on allegations of rape involving a Grade 12 learner.

According to information available to the department, the alleged incident occurred in December 2025, when the learner was in Grade 11.

The learner’s mother formally reported the matter to the school principal on March 2 this year.

Preliminary reports indicate that the educator had allegedly been providing private tutoring to the learner outside official school hours at his residence, where the incident is said to have taken place.

It is further alleged that the learner initially attempted to report the matter at school after experiencing continued inappropriate behaviour from the educator.

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The educator was arrested on Wednesday, March 4, in connection with the alleged rape. Reports suggest that the arrest followed attempts by the educator to evade authorities, as he had allegedly been absent from school earlier this week.

The department has confirmed that internal processes have been initiated to address the serious allegations. It stated that all due processes will be followed to ensure the matter is handled appropriately.

The GDE is also in contact with the learner’s family to offer therapeutic and counselling support to the learner and her parents during this difficult time.

“As a department, we are deeply disturbed by these allegations against an educator who is entrusted with the care and development of our learners.

“Educators carry the responsibility of nurturing and guiding learners and, within the schooling environment, they effectively serve as parents to the children placed under their care. They must therefore always contribute towards ensuring the safety, wellbeing and development of our learners.

“While these remain allegations that must be tested through the appropriate legal processes, we take matters of this nature extremely seriously and will ensure that our internal processes are followed accordingly,” said MEC Chiloane.