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Soweto teacher accused of raping pupil hands himself to police

Published

The teacher accused of raping a nine-year-old Grade 4 pupil at Busisiwe Primary School in Zola handed himself over to Jabulani police on Wednesday evening. He is expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile visited the school on Wednesday and placed the teacher on precautionary suspension. He said the pupil was temporarily removed from class to recover from trauma. Maile said she would get special academic support and private support at school.

Police said a rape case was reported at Jabulani police station on 11 October. One report gave 8 October as the date of the alleged incident. Maile said police were waiting for the child's statement before they made an arrest.

The school governing body chairperson, Nomvula Hlongwane, said the teacher worked at the school for four years. She described him as a dedicated employee who offered weekend classes to struggling pupils. She said the court would decide the case.

The Tshegofatso Pule Foundation, a non-profit organisation, questioned whether the teacher was vetted. It said the allegations were only taken seriously after a video circulated online. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said rigorous background checks will be done going forward.

Key facts

Who
Lebogang Maile (Gauteng Education MEC); Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi (Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel); Busisiwe Primary School (school where the alleged incident happened); Bothlale Modisane (Spokesperson, Tshegofatso Pule Foundation)
What
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile said the pupil was temporarily removed from class for trauma recovery and the accused teacher placed on precautionary suspension. Police were investigating a rape case reported at Jabulani police station on 11 October.
When
21 October 2026
Where
Zola, Soweto, Gauteng
Status
Reported

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