14 boys 'molested' by teacher

2008-11-25 09:22

Schalk Mouton

Johannesburg - Fourteen boys from Hugenote High School in Springs on the East Rand made official statements to the police last week, accusing a well-known local music teacher of molesting them.

According to police spokesperson Captain Johannes Ramphora, the boys - aged between 14 and 18 - had taken music lessons at the teacher's house after school.

He apparently bribed the boys with money and cellphone airtime in exchange for "sexual favours".

The possibility that more children from other schools were involved was also being investigated, Ramphora said.

The music teacher, whose name is known to Beeld, is not a member of Hugenote High's staff.

He may not be identified because he has not yet been arrested or appeared in court and therefore has not pleaded to any of the charges.

Ramphora said one of the boys reported the suspect to a teacher at the school last Friday.

This teacher then contacted the police, whereupon 13 more boys came forward. All these boys had made individual statements.

Raid

On Friday the police raided the suspect's home and confiscated his computer and cellphone to determine whether there was any pornographic material of the incidents.

"We have sent the computer and phone to Pretoria for forensic analysis. We'll send the report to the public prosecutor to decide whether the man should be charged," Ramphora said.

The headmaster at Hugenote High, Frans Styger, said the police informed him on Friday that the boys had made statements about the man.

"We have no jurisdiction to investigate the matter because no staff member from the school is involved. Furthermore, the alleged incidents happened outside school hours at a private home.

"We have reported the matter to the Department of Education and will support our pupils and provide counselling where necessary."

The Department of Education is also investigating the matter.

- Beeld