Teacher in court on rape charge

2009-05-28 19:06

Umlazi -One of five teachers suspended for alleged sexual misconduct appeared at the Magistrate's Court on Thursday to face a rape charge.

The teachers of Makhumbuza High School were suspended by the KwaZulu-Natal education department in April after the allegations surfaced.

A 19-year-old pupil later laid a rape charge against one of the teachers claiming that she was asked by him to carry some files to the school’s science laboratory where he forced himself on her.

Earlier, police spokesperson, Buhle Ngidi, said four other pupils had also made allegations in statements to the police.

The allegations surfaced on April 24 when a group of female pupils reported to education authorities that fellow pupils were frequently having sex with teachers in the laboratory in exchange for money and alcohol.

There were also claims that some of the girls were romantically involved with the teachers, while one pupil had dropped out of the school after a teacher allegedly made her pregnant.

The department subsequently suspended the teachers on full pay, pending the outcome of an investigation.

Last week, a preliminary report made a recommendation that the suspended teachers be charged with misconduct.

Authorities said the findings in the report were based on information and details obtained through written and verbal statements from 13 female pupils aged between 16 and 21.

The teacher accused of rape was arrested by the police on Tuesday.

- SAPA