Buziwe Nocuze
For five months the principal would allegedly call the grade 12 learner to his office and rape her.
On one occasion the 59-year-old principal allegedly took the girl to town, under the pretence of showing her the lady who made their uniforms.
On their way he started touching her and asked her how she felt. When the learner said she was uncomfortable, the principal allegedly left her in town with no money for transport back home.
All this was revealed when the 21-year-old learner confided in the son of a school governing body (SGB) member, who reported the matter.
Athandile Lugongolo, an SGB member at Bonxa Senior Secondary School in Ntabankulu, Eastern Cape, said the victim told them that the rapes started when grade 12 learners were required to attend late classes.
“Instead of teaching our kids, the principal would call the victim into his office and rape her. The news left everyone shocked because they knew the suspect as someone kind but very strict,” said Lugongolo.
“We are shocked about what has happened, and we are hoping that it will be investigated because we cannot have teachers abusing their power by taking advantage of learners.”
The principal was arrested and appeared in court on Tuesday, 14 June.
Provincial Department of Education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima confirmed that they were aware of the incident.
Mtima said the last rape incident was on 7 June and added that the principal was threatening the learner during the sexual assault in his office.
“We have since dispatched psycho-social support for learners and educators to the school,” Mtima said.
A National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson said the suspect will reappear in the Ntabankulu Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 June, for a formal bail application.
