Teacher faces rape charge

Plett cops arrest man, 42, for allegedly attacking teenager twice in one day

TUESDAY DECEMBER 15

I2015 N A SHOCKING new development, an award-winning Plettenberg Bay teacher accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy in his class, was rearrested for allegedly raping a teenager at his school.

The 42-year-old man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, was arrested by the George family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit on Sunday after claims surfaced that he allegedly raped a 15-year-old boy twice in one day.

Police spokesman Malcolm Pojie said the youngster claimed that in June, just days before his arrest in the other matter, the teacher called him into his classroom during break.

“It is alleged that the teacher closed the door behind the boy and raped him,” Pojie said.

He added that later in the day the teacher allegedly cornered the teenager in the school’s bathroom where he raped him a second time.

The teacher was out on R3 000 bail in another matter at the time of his arrest on Sunday.

The accused was arrested by the same unit on June 22 after the guardian of a 10-yearold boy in his class reported the alleged sexual assault to police.

Police said the Grade 2 boy’s guardian suspected something was wrong when the boy suddenly started wetting his bed.

Play therapy with the boy revealed to her that the teacher had allegedly sexually assaulted him on two occasions in May.

The incidents allegedly happened once at a swimming pool and on another occasion at the accused’s home.

After a lengthy bail application earlier this year, the teacher was released on bail under strict conditions including that he may not enter the school premises.

The matter is scheduled to be heard in the Knysna Regional Court on January 22.

The teacher, however, briefly took his place in the dock in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court yesterday after his latest arrest.

Magistrate Len Goosen indicated to the accused that the State would be opposing his release on bail.

The teacher responded and said he had spoken to the investigating officer in the case, who informed him that he would not be against his release.

Goosen said it was not up to the investigating officer to make such a call and asked the teacher if he wanted to apply for bail.

He said he intended to apply for bail, but his lawyer, John Gillespie, was on holiday in Cape Town.

The matter was postponed until Thursday for the teacher to consult with Gillespie on how to proceed with the bail application.

In the meantime, the teacher, despite the new charges, enjoyed massive support from family and friends who gathered in court yesterday.

There were also a handful of anti-child abuse activists to support the victim in the matter.

THE TEACHER, DESPITE THE NEW CHARGES, ENJOYED MASSIVE SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS