Sexual assault counselling

The Gauteng department of education yesterday said that counselling would be provided to pupils from AB Xuma Primary School in Orlando East, Soweto, who were allegedly sexually assaulted by a scholar patroller.

“These allegations are indeed disturbing. We are actually disappointed,” Gauteng MEC Panyaza Lesufi, pictured, said.

The 57-year-old scholar patroller allegedly sexually assaulted 54 pupils.

“The teams will ensure that the intervention is conducted in line with the prescripts of the Children’s Act, Sexual Offences Act and Child Protection Protocols,” the department said.

The department said that a case had been opened at the Orlando police station and the patroller was arrested on October 9. His services were terminated with immediate effect.

“It must be noted that officials are currently at the school to establish the facts around the incident, however, it is alleged that the patroller sexually assaulted about 54 pupils.”

The department said they had a zero-tolerance stance on allegations of sexual assault and had never hesitated to act where allegations of this nature were proven true.

“We encourage pupils never to listen to anybody who tells them not to tell, for fear of victimisation. Pupils must report such incidents to their parents, police or any other trusted figure of authority, so that necessary action can be taken accordingly,” it said.

“We can confirm that the screening of scholar patrollers is conducted by the department of community safety.” – ANA

Pupils must report such incidents to their parents, police or any other trusted figure of authority. GDE statement