Top Joburg school probes mock-rape claims

2012-02-06 17:26

Johannesburg - A top Johannesburg Catholic school is probing claims that senior boys made new juniors mock-rape a chair and a bus seat on a school outing, an official said on Monday.

Education spokesperson Charles Phahlane said Education MEC Barbara Creecy phoned the St David's Marist Inanda school on Saturday about the allegation.

"If this is true, it is very serious because it violates the SA Schools Act and the Sexual Offences Act," Phahlane said.

Headmaster Malcolm Williams and chief executive of the school, Mike Greeff, said in a statement that the school board, management and the staff condemned conduct that intimidated, humiliated or frightened anyone.

"We are shocked and disappointed that any of our boys would be involved in behaviour which may cause distress or humiliation," they said.

Such behaviour was a violation of the school's code of conduct and anti-bullying policy.

"Our primary concern at this time is for the Grade 8s who have been affected."

The school had a counselling programme for boys and their families and would be working with those involved.

"We express our sincerest apologies to the boys and their families for the violation of trust that has occurred and we commit to doing all that is necessary to heal these wounds."

- SAPA