Senior lecturer under investigation for rape claims
"He tells them that there is no space but he can make a plan if also they agree to sleep with him."
Police said they were investigating allegations that a lecturer at the Tshwane South TVET College in Mabopane was sleeping with students in exchange for admission.
This follows a student protest outside the campus on Tuesday.
“We are investigating two cases of rape that were opened at the Mabopane police station on July 19,” police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhulela confirmed.
No arrests have been made.
Francinah Mpye, from the Ga-Rankuwa Sekwanele Female Movement, said the lecturer was targeting students who were from other provinces “as he knows they do not have a choice but to comply if they want a spot at the school”.
“He targets students from afar such as Venda and KZN.
“He would tell students they were not accepted because of the lack of space, but then insist on them giving him their numbers to call them later. When he calls them, he tells them that there is no space but he can make a plan if they agree to sleep with him.
“These girls are very young. Some of them were born between 2003 and 2004. He wants vulnerable students who are new and desperate to be accepted at the college. They are coerced. Either they say yes and become a student at the college or they go back home.”
Mpye said she knew of three girls who had fallen victim and are now struggling to cope.
“I am currently dealing with two girls. The third one is in Venda. She was not cooperating because she is still in shock and does not want to talk about it. The other two have already opened a case.”
One of the victims, who chose to remain anonymous, said both she and her sister were victimised by the lecturer and that both have been struggling |to cope with what happened to them.
“I am traumatised and worried about my safety,” she said.
“I am not sure whether I could manage going back to campus. I do not know how I will face my classmates.
The student claimed she was victimised in February.
“I have been trying my best, but it has not been easy. I was very nervous because I knew that I was going to see him again. I have been trying to be strong for both me and my sister.”
She said justice would be served if the alleged perpetrator was jailed.
The principal of the college, Advocate Joe Chiloane, said he was aware of the allegations and he had already taken action.
“The lecturer in question had already been suspended,” said Chiloane.
“The first person who dealt with the matter was my deputy-principal.”
Chiloane said the college would leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of the allegations.
“I have commissioned an investigation and appointed a presiding officer on Wednesday who will be looking into the matter.”
He also pleaded with students who might have fallen victims to the said lecturer to come forward with information.
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