Limpopo scholar transport driver arrested for alleged rape of girl (5)
The Limpopo Education Department has urged parents to do a proper background check on scholar transport operators following the alleged repeated rape of a five-year-old girl.
LIMPOPO – A 35-year-old man will appear before the Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of rape following his arrest for the rape of a five-year-old girl, allegedly by him.
The Limpopo police spokesperson, Col Malesela Ledwaba said the man was arrested yesterday afternoon (April 24) in Mafefe Village in the Malipsdrift policing precinct outside Lebowakgomo.
“The incident occurred between January and March when the suspect would allegedly rape the child after picking her up from school,” his statement read.
Ledwaba said the suspect would drop off other children as usual and instead of taking the victim home, would rape her in the vehicle.
“The suspect threatened the child not to report the incident but she disclosed to her grandmother over the Easter weekend,” he said.
A case of rape was opened and transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation before the suspect’s arrest.
The acting provincial police commissioner Major General Samuel Manala condemned the incident, adding his shock at how innocent children continue to be tormented by heartless criminals.
“We urge parents and guardians to keep supporting their children when they report abuse so that the perpetrators can be arrested and held accountable for their horrendous actions,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya expressed her shock and cautioned parents to do a proper background check on people they hire to transport their children to school.
“It is a serious concern that people who are trusted to transport learners to school prey on them to advance their sexual desires. Parents must ensure that private scholar transporters are properly vetted and that they have no previous criminal records, especially of a sexual nature” she said.
The MEC is confident that justice will prevail and the perpetrator will be convicted and sent away for good.
Education’s media liaison officer Matome Taueatsoala said the department dispatched a social worker to support the learner.
