Teachers backing ‘rapist’ suspended

Cops look at further rape claims

FIVE teachers who attended the court case of their former colleague accused of raping three young boys at a primary school have been suspended pending further investigations.

The accused man, a 31-year-old guidance counsellor who cannot be named to protect the identities of the alleged victims, has been fired from the school in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

The man faces three charges of rape and is under investigation in about 15 other rape cases.

His three alleged victims are aged between seven and nine. He allegedly told the children that he would kill their parents if they reported him.

The man appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court last Monday and is due back in court on Friday. He was denied bail and remains in custody.

Parents of children at the school received a letter from the school governing body (SGB) on Friday advising them of the action plan after a meeting held on Wednesday.

The former guidance counsellor’s arrest sparked outrage in the community. “We understand that emotions are running very high and we have advised parents on the plans we are putting in place based on suggestions received at the meeting to ensure that the school can move forward, ensuring the safety of every child,” the SGB chairman, whose name is being withheld to protect the children’s identities, told Sowetan.

The provincial education department has been asked to conduct an investigation into the teachers who were allegedly in court.

“Those teachers have been requested to stay away from the school pending an investigation. The department will also be at the school from Monday to conduct an appropriate child rights and protection awareness programme for pupils,” the SGB chairman said.

He said the notice to the parents also stated that further sessions for those who had been counselled by the school’s former counsellor will be arranged.

“The staff is currently compiling a list and all parents will be notified if their child’s name is on that list.”

Education department spokesman Kwazi Mthethwa said the department was not aware of the new developments at the school.

“MEC [for education] Mthandeni Dlungwana was very shocked last week to see some parents and other teachers coming to support the [alleged] perpetrator [at court].

“We’re expecting a report regarding rape allegations, which is due month-end, and after that the department will act,” he said.

The alleged abuse was uncovered when one boy told his father that he had played a game called “monster touch” with the counsellor. The father took his son to hospital, where he was examined and found to have been sexually penetrated.

Since the man’s arrest, more children have come forward with allegations of abuse.