A MATRIC farewell in December 2022 ended badly for a 17-year-old pupil.
Not only did she experience breathing problems, which forced her to go back home, but she was allegedly raped by a School Governing Body (SGB) member.
The girl's aunt from Magaliesburg, Gauteng told Daily Sun the girl returned home with two teachers and the SGB member, who is also a pastor.
"This man kept touching her inappropriately and she continuously removed his hand, but he kept touching her forcibly," said the aunt.
She said when they approached the girl's house, the driver drove past it and they all got off at the park.
"The teacher told her he's not responsible for her. The SGB is responsible for taking her home. He and the other teacher got into the car and left. My niece was left with the accused at the park and that's when he raped her,” she said.
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According to the aunt, after the man raped her niece, he told her to go home.
"We noticed she was crying and couldn't even walk properly the following morning. We asked her what was wrong and she broke down and told us about the incident.
"To say we're broken would be an understatement. We send our kids to school hoping it's safe only for them to be violated this way. It saddens me," she said.
The aunt also revealed that the man tried to intimidate the victim.
“He told her that if she goes to the police station, he'd reveal that they were drinking alcohol so her case won't be strong,” she said.
Gauteng Education spokesman Steve Mabona, said the department is aware of this unfortunate case.
"Our officials have been attending the court process and the said learner and her family were offered the necessary support," he said.
He said a person will not be eligible to be a SGB member if they have been declared mentally ill, are un-rehabilitated insolvent or have been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment.
"He or she also can't be SGB if he or she has been declared to be unsuitable to work with children as stipulated in terms of the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act 38 of 2005)," said Mabona
Gauteng Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, said the man was arrested for rape and appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrates Court on Monday, 27 March.
The court heard that the man has a previous conviction of theft from 1984.
The case was postponed to 4 April and the man remain in police custody.
