A primary school teacher (58) from Makotopong, outside Polokwane, was arrested on Monday afternoon for the alleged repeated rape of one of his learners, a 13-year-old girl.

The man, who police say was on the run, was arrested after a declaration by the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, for the police to mobilise resources at their disposal and track the suspect down.

A rape case was opened after a teacher accompanied the learner to her mother on March 27 to inform her of the ordeal.

Police say investigations revealed that the alleged rapes took place on several occasions between November 2024 and March 7.

It was previously reported that the suspect allegedly went missing after he learned of the rape investigation.

“The suspect drove off in his vehicle under the pretence that he was going to the police station. When he was contacted, he claimed he was in Hammanskraal in Pretoria and his cellphone was then switched off,” Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.

He will appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (April 2) on a charge of rape.

The Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the arrest follows an extensive investigation by detectives from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) and was welcomed by Hadebe.

The Limpopo Department of Education has condemned the alleged rape, stating that the teacher will have to undergo disciplinary action and might end up being dismissed from the profession if found guilty.

“A teacher’s responsibility is to guide, protect and groom learners for the future. Learners should feel safe around their teachers as teachers become second parents to them. Our prayers and heartfelt support go to the victim’s family and the school community. I urge parents and school communities to join hands in safeguarding our children and by reporting behavior that threatens learners’ safety,” Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya said.