SMS pest up for abuse

2003-08-16 21:57

Mandla Zulu

Eshowe - The deputy principal of a school near Eshowe in northern KwaZulu-Natal has been accused of sexually abusing 19 schoolchildren in the past two years.

The deputy head, whose name is known to City Press, is said to have molested school girls in his office.

Police in Eshowe confirmed that the pupils - aged between 15 and 18 - had made statements to police detailing how the man, who is also a lay preacher, sexually abused them.

Investigating officer Ronnie Buthelezi said they expected to arrest the man on Monday.

Some of the pupils who spoke to City Press said the deputy principal would lure them to his office, apparently to make him tea, and then fondle their private parts while kissing them.

"Sometimes he sent SMS messages, saying whenever he sees me he gets horny. I sometimes feel embarrassed in the classroom when he massages me in front of everyone.

"He offers us money, saying we should not tell anyone," said one pupil.

Provincial education department spokesperson Mandla Msibi called for the immediate arrest of the deputy principal.

When City Press contacted the teacher, he laughed off the allegations.

He said it was all a big joke.

"I am a lay preacher. How can I do that to children?" he said.

He would not comment further, but said he was waiting for the police to come to him.

The school principal threw her weight behind her deputy, saying the allegations against him were fuelled by teachers who wanted to discredit their colleague and the name of the school.

Lyndy Mansfield, crisis manager at Durban's Childline, confirmed that the 19 pupils had made statements to Childline.

She said the statements had been sent to the department of education so it could institute a formal investigation.

- City Press