Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has directed the police to mobilise resources at their disposal to track and arrest a 58-year-old primary school teacher accused of the repeated rape of a Gr 7 learner (13).

Polokwane Review reports that, according to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, a case of rape was opened and the suspect is now on the run.

“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,” his statement reads.

Ledwaba says the learner was taken to her mother by a teacher who on Thursday informed her of the ordeal.

“Preliminary investigations reveal the learner was allegedly raped several times between November 2024 and March 7, 2025.”

Hadebe says the teacher must face the full might of the law.

“Children are supposed to be nurtured and given the necessary care by those entrusted with this responsibility, such as teachers, guardians and parents alike. No child is supposed to be subjected to such inhumane acts,” Hadebe adds.

Meanwhile, the Limpopo Department of Education has condemned the 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 says.

She adds that a team from the department has been dispatched to the school to offer psycho-social support.

Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect is urged to contact detective Lieutenant Colonel Martin Thema of the Polokwane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit on 082 451 7155, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or alternatively by using the MySAPS app anonymously.

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