A 58-year-old primary school teacher is on the run after allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in the Capricorn South Education District, sparking outrage and a manhunt by authorities.

According to Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, the female learner was taken to her mother by another educator, who informed her about the ordeal on March 27.

Thakeng said a case of rape was immediately opened. The suspect then drove off, pretending to head to the police station, but instead fled from the law.

“A case of rape was registered for further investigation. The suspect drove off with his vehicle under the pretense that he was going to the Police station. When he was contacted, he claimed he was in Hammaskraal in Pretoria and the cellphone was then switched off.”

He added that preliminary investigations revealed the learner was allegedly raped multiple times from November 2024 to March 7.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has condemned the incident and instructed police to mobilize all available resources to track down and apprehend the 58-year-old teacher.

“This educator who allegedly raped the female learner must be tracked down and apprehended to face the full might of law. Children are supposed to be nurtured and given the necessary care by those entrusted with this responsibility, such as educators, guardians and parents alike. No child is supposed to be subjected to such inhumane acts,” said Hadebe.

The MEC of Education in Limpopo, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, has also condemned the incident, emphasizing that learners should feel safe with their teachers, who serve as second parents to them.

“A teacher’s responsibility is to guide, protect and groom learners for the future. Learners should feel safe around their teachers as teachers become second parents to them. Our prayers and heartfelt support go to the victim’s family and the school community. I urge parents and school communities to join hands in safeguarding our children and by reporting behavior that threatens learners’ safety. The department is grateful and commends the law enforcement agency for their swift action in apprehending the alleged perpetrator. We have confidence in our legal system that justice will prevail,” she said.

The department has dispatched a team to the school to offer psycho-social support.

A team from the department has been dispatched to the school to offer psycho-social support.

Police have urged the community to assist with any information that could lead to the teacher's apprehension. They can contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Martin Thema of Polokwane FCS at 082 451 7155, Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or anonymously through the MySAPS App.

The Star

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