Amid a national outcry for justice following the rape of Cwecwe – a seven-year-old girl – an incident in Mbombela took centre stage when the protest spilled over into the Mpumalanga city.

Lowvelder reports that on Tuesday, during the Mbombela march for Cwecwe, the mother of a learner who was raped, allegedly at Curro Nelspruit, addressed protesters at the Mpumalanga Provincial Government Complex.

She claimed that her 15-year-old daughter was assaulted by a staff member late last year and that the perpetrator remains free.

“On November 7, 2024, my daughter sent me a message saying she had been sexually assaulted. She texted, ‘What did I do wrong? This is not the first time he has done this to me.’ I asked what she meant, and she told me she had been raped in a classroom by a teacher. I was shocked – where were the other children?”

The mother described what she called an unsettling response from the school, saying her daughter was forced to return to write final exams despite her trauma.

“The principal told her not to discuss the incident with other learners to avoid damaging Curro’s name. When I asked whether their concern was for my daughter or their reputation, I was told it sounded like she was bragging about the attack,” she alleged.

She claimed Curro repeatedly urged her to keep the matter private. Although the suspect was arrested, she said she received little information about his court proceedings. “A constable at Nelspruit Police Station told me the docket is still with the prosecutor. I feel there is no progress in my daughter’s case.”

She also revealed that her child has become suicidal and that they continue to encounter the alleged perpetrator around town. “We changed schools, but he was hired at another one. They asked for proof of the pending case before firing him. Three weeks ago, I saw him coaching at a rugby match.”

Curro Nelspruit initially posted a statement on Facebook, but later later removed it, confirming the intern teacher’s arrest on November 7 last year, and his subsequent dismissal.

The school claimed it had provided the victim and her family with counselling and had reported the matter to the authorities.

Lowvelder contacted Curro Nelspruit, but was referred to Curro Holdings. In its response, Curro Holdings reiterated parts of the deleted statement, adding: “The learner is now enrolled at a new school. We uphold the safety, dignity and privacy of all members of our community and are addressing the matter with sensitivity and care. Given the ongoing prosecution, we cannot share further factual information or respond to allegations that may be part of the upcoming trial.”

Curro’s social media platforms were flooded with comments from outraged users demanding accountability and action. Many expressed frustration over the perceived lack of transparency and justice in handling the matter.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed that a case had been opened. “The suspect was arrested, but the matter was not enrolled in court pending further investigation. The officer handling the case is in communication with the child’s mother,” he said.

• Cwecwe from Matatiele, Eastern Cape, was raped, allegedly while she was waiting for her transport at Bergview College last year. No arrests have been made. As this matter continues to unfold nationally, Lowvelder will continue to investigate the above matter locally.

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