Steadville councillors have called for calm in the community following an alleged rape incident at Steadville Secondary School in which a teacher is reportedly a suspect.

Ward 10 Councillor Xolani Mngadi, accompanied by Councillor Sithole (Ward 9) and Councillor Zikalala (Ward 21), visited the school today (September 18) for a meeting with the principal and SGB.

Matter currently before court

The councillors said the visit was aimed at understanding the circumstances surrounding the reported incident and engaging with school leadership.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mngadi said he could not disclose any details of the discussion or any resolutions reached because the matter is currently before court.

“We visited the school to listen and (try to) understand what could have happened at the school, because we don’t want to speculate. We sat and discussed the matter, but we are not going to say a lot of things because the matter is in court,” said Mngadi.

Community urged to allow the law to take its course

Mngadi said that revealing information about the meeting could potentially interfere with the legal process. He went on to plead with the community to allow the law to take its course, and the Department of Education.

Police confirm the incident

SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan has confirmed the incident, saying that it allegedly took place on Friday, September 11, in the vicinity of Ladysmith Motel.

“A 50-year-old educator appeared in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday this week (September 15), where he was remanded into custody. He will appear before the same court next week Tuesday and will be answering to a charge of rape. The investigation is being conducted by detectives from the Ladysmith Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences Unit,” said Khan.

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