School ‘tried to conceal rape’ of girl (8)

Parents heard about the incident ‘through grapevine’

Parents at a Johannesburg primary school‚ where a girl was raped, allegedly by fellow pupils‚ are outraged by the school’s handling of the matter.

The school‚ in a Randburg suburb‚ held a meeting with the parents this week‚ following an inquiry into the conduct of three schoolboys aged 12 to 14.

The alleged rape came to light after the victim‚ 8‚ was examined by a doctor.

The incident took place on school grounds on April 4 and a case of rape was opened the following day‚ police spokesman Captain Walter Spencer said.

Parents of other pupils at the school say it communicated too little‚ too late. “The school held a meeting but nothing was resolved. It seemed like the school was sweeping the whole thing under the rug‚” one parent said.

Another parent said the information the school provided on the matter was vague.

“I don’t feel confident about the safety of my children at the school. If I had found out sooner I could have educated my children on what’s happening.

“My children are hearing things at school‚ other children are talking about it and we don’t know what teachers are telling our children.”

The mother said she heard about the incident “through the grapevine” during the week of the disciplinary hearing‚ but that most parents found out this week. “People were very upset about it.”

Gauteng department of education spokesman Oupa Bodibe said the school was guided by its communication policy when it assessed how to interact with its stakeholders.

“It must be noted that the matter is sub judice and involves minors and, as such, we need to treat it with the sensi- tivity it deserves.”

On Tuesday, the department said two of the accused boys were recommended for expulsion. NPA spokeswoman Phindi Louw, however, said the case against two of the three pupils had been withdrawn. The case was postponed to July.

According to Bodibe, it had been recommended that two pupils be expelled.

“The school conducted a disciplinary hearing and the recommendation was that the involved learners must be expelled. The school has prepared the recommendations and it is now with the [Gauteng head of department] for his consideration‚” Bodibe said.