Teacher faces ‘sex pest’ probe

A LIMPOPO high school teacher is being investigated following allegations that he had engaged in sexual relationships with several pupils at his school.

Provincial education spokesman Naledzani Rasila confirmed this week that they were investigating allegations that the teacher had violated several pupils at a school in the province.

“It is true that we have instituted investigations into allegations that a teacher in one of our schools had been sexually molesting pupils. By law teachers are not allowed to engage in any sexual relationships with pupils, irrespective of their ages,” said Rasila.

The teacher, whose identity is known to Sowetan, had allegedly also impregnated a pupil who no longer attends school because she is raising the child.

He allegedly raped some of the pupils and had relationships with several others. Among his alleged victims is a 15-year-old pupil whose mother yesterday claimed was performing badly at school.

“I can confirm that my daughter was violated by a teacher at her school,” said the mother who cannot be named to protect the identity of her daughter.

The mother said she tried to open a case against the teacher but claimed police refused to investigate. Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said they could not open a case on the basis that the case was only opened recently when the victim was 17 years of age.

“In terms of the law, we can only open a case of statutory rape when the victim is below the age of 16,” said Mojapelo.