Protest erupts at Soweto school over sexual assault allegations
Angry parents gathered outside a local primary school demanding action after rape allegations involving a teacher and a young learner emerged online.
Outraged parents took to the streets in protest, demanding answers following allegations of sexual assault involving a teacher and a learner at a Soweto primary school on October 20.
Protestors gathered after a video circulated on social media in which a young learner recounted what allegedly happened on the day of the incident.
According to statements in the video, the child was at a school toilet when a teacher allegedly followed and assaulted her.
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A family friend told Urban News that the child’s mother learned about the alleged incident on October 9, a day after it reportedly occurred.
She said the family opened a rape case at Jabulani Police Station on October 11, but accused police of failing to act swiftly.
“Throughout the week, the teacher has been going to school to teach, while our daughter has not been attending school because she is scared,” the family friend said.
She added that the school governing body claimed it was unaware of the incident until October 19, after seeing the video on social media.
Parents said they trust schools to keep their children safe and want immediate action taken.
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Urban News could not obtain comment from the child’s mother at the scene as she was overcome with emotion.
Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that a case was reported and is under investigation.
“A case of rape was reported on October 11 at Jabulani Police Station. It is alleged that a primary school girl was raped inside school premises. No one has been arrested as yet,” she said.
She added that the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit is investigating the matter.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, is expected to visit the school today, October 21.
Maile is scheduled to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the alleged sexual misconduct reported to law enforcement authorities.
He is also expected to outline the department’s processes and interventions to address the matter.
Soweto Urban is following up on the story and more details will be provided in the update later.
