Limpopo schoolgirls pregnancy shock

A total of 803 pregnancies were reported in Limpopo in 2016 – with some girls as young as 10.

A total of 663 pregnancies were reported in Limpopo in 2014, 909 in 2015 and 803 in 2016 – DA.

T he list of girls falling pregnant in South African schools includes children as young as 10, the Democratic Alliance said yesterday.

The DA disclosed that more than 600 pupils between grades four and seven fell pregnant in the past three years in Limpopo alone.

The department of basic education yesterday confirmed the statistics, branding them “shocking and alarming”.

Jacques Smalle, DA Limpopo chairperson and member of the provincial legislature, told The

Citizen that 42 cases of physical and sexual abuse were reported to the authorities in the province in the past three financial years.

Smalle said fourteen cases of sexual abuse were reported while 28 complaints of physical abuse were levelled against teachers since 2015 to date.

He added that following the 42 cases, eight teachers were dismissed.

Teenage pregnancies in Limpopo schools increased 20% between 2014 and 2016.

“Of more concern is that ... 663 pregnancy cases were reported in 2014, 909 in 2015 and 803 in 2016,” said Smalle.

“Districts such as Mopani, Vhembe and Capricorn have so far recorded the highest figures, as compared to other districts such as Sekhukhune and Waterberg,” he said, adding that the statistics had left the province and nation shellshocked.

Smalle said among the schools with the highest number of teenage pregnancies between 2016 and this year were Gija Ngove Secondary School in Mopani district, with 29; Mainganya Secondary in Sekgosese (29); Malenga Secondary in Mopani (28); Kgwekgwe Secondary in Ga-Moleketla Relela (27); Molautsi Secondary and Thokampe Secondary (both 27); Hlungwani Secondary in Vhembe (26); and Bela Bela Secondary in Waterberg (25).

More than 30 pupils in grades four and seven – whose ages ranged between 10 and 12 – were found to be among the schoolgirls who fell pregnant in Limpopo in recent years.

The primary schools affected, according to the department, are Madaheni and Pfumelani in the Vhembe districts; and Popkuil in Polokwane which had one pupil per school pregnant in grade four.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said it was concerning that many perpetrators went unpunished.

Spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the youngest girl found pregnant was 10 years old and in Grade 4.