Teacher faces more charges

2009-06-08 14:16

Durban - A Durban school teacher accused of raping one of his pupils will face additional charges at his next court appearance, the Umlazi Magistrate's Court heard on Monday.

The teacher at the troubled Makhumbuza High School in Umlazi is accused of raping a 19-year-old pupil in the school’s laboratory in August last year.

He allegedly forced himself on her in the lab after asking her to take some files there.

The court heard that more victims have laid charges of crimen injuria, sexual harassment, sexual assault and attempted rape.

"There are additional charges of a sexual nature against you, but the state hasn’t formally charged you yet," said the magistrate, who did not want to be named.

"During the course of today, you will be formally advised what those charges are."

The case was remanded to June 17 when the teacher will bring a bail application.

Threatened and intimidated

He is one of five teachers' at the school who were suspended by the KwaZulu-Natal education department for alleged sexual misconduct against some female pupils.

Since the sexual allegations surfaced in April, the department has launched an intensive investigation.

Mlungisi Ntombela, the department’s district director said the teachers would be officially charged this week before appearing at a disciplinary hearing.

Last week, two of the pupils in the school, including the rape victim were transferred to a new school when it emerged that they were being threatened and intimidated by fellow pupils and teachers.

Ntombela said there were fears that such tensions could prevent other victims from coming forward.

In court on Monday, a group of female supporters from Operation Bobby Bear filled up the public gallery with different colour teddy bears on their laps.

Spokesperson Mildred Ngcobo said they wanted justice to be done and measures to be put in place to protect the victim.

"With such intimidation taking place in the school, other victims will be too scared to come out with their stories. Transferring pupils out of the school is not enough, it’s not solving the problem."

She said it was clear that the education department needed to do much more to protect and assist the victims.

"The victims need to see justice."

- SAPA