RESIDENTS have shut down three schools after a 13-year-old girl was raped and her two friends robbed while walking back from school on Monday.
The residents of Slagboom and Mokobyane villages blame the North West Department of Education as their children walk more than eight kilometers to get to school on a dangerous route.
Councillor David Somo, PR councillor Eliphus Lesiba Moselane, ward committee member Moshe Matlala and Makapanstad traditional council member Tshepo Malebye said they have pleaded with the department many times to sort out the transport issue.
They said the bus that transported pupils from Slagboom to Mmukubyane stopped operating because of late payments from the department.
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“They told us the service provider said the bus was not operational but they will make a plan,” said Somo.
The mother of the pupil who was raped said her kid and her friends took a short cut through bushes.
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“My child told me they came across a man who demanded phones and later grabbed my child and raped her,” said the mother.
North West police spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that cops in Bedwang were investigating a case of rape.
“Members of the community found a man that they assaulted, although they were not sure if he was the suspect. The man was admitted to hospital,” he said.
North West Education Department spokesman Elias Malindi called on residents to find a way of protest that won’t stop schooling.
“We are talking to the Department of Transport to help us with this matter,” he said.
