Limpopo Teacher

By Karabo Marifi

A 58-year-old Limpopo primary school teacher, accused of raping a 13-year-old Grade 7 pupil, has been denied bail by the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court. The decision, handed down on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, follows a series of court appearances that revealed the shocking extent of the alleged crimes, which include multiple instances of rape and a charge of child sexual grooming. The accused, whose identity is withheld to protect the victim, will remain in custody as the case is postponed to 20 June 2025 for further investigations.

The teacher was arrested in March 2025 after a colleague discovered him allegedly raping the pupil on the premises of their school in Makotopong, outside Polokwane. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, court proceedings revealed that the accused had been sexually assaulting the 13-year-old girl since July 2024, with the abuse continuing until his arrest. The initial police report had suggested the assaults began in November 2024, but further investigations uncovered a longer pattern of abuse, leading to the additional charge of sexual grooming under Section 305 of the Children’s Act.

During the bail hearing, the state, represented by Advocate Joel Mamabolo, strongly opposed the accused’s release, citing the risk of interference with witnesses. Malabi-Dzhangi noted, “During the judgement, the court remarked that the state has a strong case, and there is a likelihood that the accused could interfere with the state witnesses, as he has already sent people to apologise on his behalf.” The court also found that the accused failed to demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” required for bail under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Magistrate Venus Makhubela concluded, “The accused failed to discharge in exceptional circumstances and his bail application was dismissed.”

The case has sparked outrage in the Makotopong community, with residents filling the court gallery to capacity during the bail hearing. Community leader Michael Lekuta welcomed the court’s decision, stating, “We are very happy with the outcome. It will serve as a precedent for all perpetrators.” He emphasised ongoing campaigns to educate children about acceptable adult behaviour and encourage them to speak out against abuse. Limpopo MEC for Social Development, Florence Radzilani, condemned the crime as a “profound violation of trust and humanity,” praising the police for their swift action.

The accused, who resigned from his teaching position citing an “ancestral calling,” will face further scrutiny as the investigation continues. The Limpopo Department of Education confirmed his resignation, noting that he is no longer part of the school system. The case has reignited calls for enhanced measures to protect children in schools, with ActionSA provincial chairperson Victor Mothamela urging the deployment of social workers to monitor gender-based violence.

As South Africa grapples with high rates of gender-based violence, with over 10,000 rape cases reported in Q1 2025 according to SAPS, this case underscores the urgent need for systemic interventions to safeguard vulnerable children. The victim and her family are receiving psycho-social support from social workers and the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit.

Limpopo Teacher Denied Bail in Rape and Sexual Grooming Case Involving Grade 7 Pupil

By Karabo Marifi

A 58-year-old Limpopo primary school teacher, accused of raping a 13-year-old Grade 7 pupil, has been denied bail by the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court. The decision, handed down on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, follows a series of court appearances that revealed the shocking extent of the alleged crimes, which include multiple instances of rape and a charge of child sexual grooming. The accused, whose identity is withheld to protect the victim, will remain in custody as the case is postponed to 20 June 2025 for further investigations.
The teacher was arrested in March 2025 after a colleague discovered him allegedly raping the pupil on the premises of their school in Makotopong, outside Polokwane. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, court proceedings revealed that the accused had been sexually assaulting the 13-year-old girl since July 2024, with the abuse continuing until his arrest. The initial police report had suggested the assaults began in November 2024, but further investigations uncovered a longer pattern of abuse, leading to the additional charge of sexual grooming under Section 305 of the Children’s Act.
During the bail hearing, the state, represented by Advocate Joel Mamabolo, strongly opposed the accused’s release, citing the risk of interference with witnesses. Malabi-Dzhangi noted, “During the judgement, the court remarked that the state has a strong case, and there is a likelihood that the accused could interfere with the state witnesses, as he has already sent people to apologise on his behalf.” The court also found that the accused failed to demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” required for bail under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Magistrate Venus Makhubela concluded, “The accused failed to discharge in exceptional circumstances and his bail application was dismissed.”
The case has sparked outrage in the Makotopong community, with residents filling the court gallery to capacity during the bail hearing. Community leader Michael Lekuta welcomed the court’s decision, stating, “We are very happy with the outcome. It will serve as a precedent for all perpetrators.” He emphasised ongoing campaigns to educate children about acceptable adult behaviour and encourage them to speak out against abuse. Limpopo MEC for Social Development, Florence Radzilani, condemned the crime as a “profound violation of trust and humanity,” praising the police for their swift action.
The accused, who resigned from his teaching position citing an “ancestral calling,” will face further scrutiny as the investigation continues. The Limpopo Department of Education confirmed his resignation, noting that he is no longer part of the school system. The case has reignited calls for enhanced measures to protect children in schools, with ActionSA provincial chairperson Victor Mothamela urging the deployment of social workers to monitor gender-based violence.
As South Africa grapples with high rates of gender-based violence, with over 10,000 rape cases reported in Q1 2025 according to SAPS, this case underscores the urgent need for systemic interventions to safeguard vulnerable children. The victim and her family are receiving psycho-social support from social workers and the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit. — Limpopo Teacher Denied Bail in Rape and Sexual Grooming Case Involving Grade 7 Pupil By Karabo Marifi A 58-year-old Limpopo primary school teacher, accused of raping a 13-year-old Grade 7 pupil, has been denied bail by the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court. The decision, handed down on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, follows a series of court appearances that revealed the shocking extent of the alleged crimes, which include multiple instances of rape and a charge of child sexual grooming. The accused, whose identity is withheld to protect the victim, will remain in custody as the case is postponed to 20 June 2025 for further investigations. The teacher was arrested in March 2025 after a colleague discovered him allegedly raping the pupil on the premises of their school in Makotopong, outside Polokwane. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, court proceedings revealed that the accused had been sexually assaulting the 13-year-old girl since July 2024, with the abuse continuing until his arrest. The initial police report had suggested the assaults began in November 2024, but further investigations uncovered a longer pattern of abuse, leading to the additional charge of sexual grooming under Section 305 of the Children’s Act. During the bail hearing, the state, represented by Advocate Joel Mamabolo, strongly opposed the accused’s release, citing the risk of interference with witnesses. Malabi-Dzhangi noted, “During the judgement, the court remarked that the state has a strong case, and there is a likelihood that the accused could interfere with the state witnesses, as he has already sent people to apologise on his behalf.” The court also found that the accused failed to demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” required for bail under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Magistrate Venus Makhubela concluded, “The accused failed to discharge in exceptional circumstances and his bail application was dismissed.” The case has sparked outrage in the Makotopong community, with residents filling the court gallery to capacity during the bail hearing. Community leader Michael Lekuta welcomed the court’s decision, stating, “We are very happy with the outcome. It will serve as a precedent for all perpetrators.” He emphasised ongoing campaigns to educate children about acceptable adult behaviour and encourage them to speak out against abuse. Limpopo MEC for Social Development, Florence Radzilani, condemned the crime as a “profound violation of trust and humanity,” praising the police for their swift action. The accused, who resigned from his teaching position citing an “ancestral calling,” will face further scrutiny as the investigation continues. The Limpopo Department of Education confirmed his resignation, noting that he is no longer part of the school system. The case has reignited calls for enhanced measures to protect children in schools, with ActionSA provincial chairperson Victor Mothamela urging the deployment of social workers to monitor gender-based violence. As South Africa grapples with high rates of gender-based violence, with over 10,000 rape cases reported in Q1 2025 according to SAPS, this case underscores the urgent need for systemic interventions to safeguard vulnerable children. The victim and her family are receiving psycho-social support from social workers and the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit.Limpopo Teacher Denied Bail in Rape and Sexual Grooming Case Involving Grade 7 Pupil By Karabo Marifi A 58-year-old Limpopo primary school teacher, accused of raping a 13-year-old Grade 7 pupil, has been denied bail by the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court. The decision, handed down on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, follows a series of court appearances that revealed the shocking extent of the alleged crimes, which include multiple instances of rape and a charge of child sexual grooming. The accused, whose identity is withheld to protect the victim, will remain in custody as the case is postponed to 20 June 2025 for further investigations. The teacher was arrested in March 2025 after a colleague discovered him allegedly raping the pupil on the premises of their school in Makotopong, outside Polokwane. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, court proceedings revealed that the accused had been sexually assaulting the 13-year-old girl since July 2024, with the abuse continuing until his arrest. The initial police report had suggested the assaults began in November 2024, but further investigations uncovered a longer pattern of abuse, leading to the additional charge of sexual grooming under Section 305 of the Children’s Act. During the bail hearing, the state, represented by Advocate Joel Mamabolo, strongly opposed the accused’s release, citing the risk of interference with witnesses. Malabi-Dzhangi noted, “During the judgement, the court remarked that the state has a strong case, and there is a likelihood that the accused could interfere with the state witnesses, as he has already sent people to apologise on his behalf.” The court also found that the accused failed to demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” required for bail under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Magistrate Venus Makhubela concluded, “The accused failed to discharge in exceptional circumstances and his bail application was dismissed.” The case has sparked outrage in the Makotopong community, with residents filling the court gallery to capacity during the bail hearing. Community leader Michael Lekuta welcomed the court’s decision, stating, “We are very happy with the outcome. It will serve as a precedent for all perpetrators.” He emphasised ongoing campaigns to educate children about acceptable adult behaviour and encourage them to speak out against abuse. Limpopo MEC for Social Development, Florence Radzilani, condemned the crime as a “profound violation of trust and humanity,” praising the police for their swift action. The accused, who resigned from his teaching position citing an “ancestral calling,” will face further scrutiny as the investigation continues. The Limpopo Department of Education confirmed his resignation, noting that he is no longer part of the school system. The case has reignited calls for enhanced measures to protect children in schools, with ActionSA provincial chairperson Victor Mothamela urging the deployment of social workers to monitor gender-based violence. As South Africa grapples with high rates of gender-based violence, with over 10,000 rape cases reported in Q1 2025 according to SAPS, this case underscores the urgent need for systemic interventions to safeguard vulnerable children. The victim and her family are receiving psycho-social support from social workers and the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit.

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Limpopo Teacher

Limpopo Teacher Denied Bail in Rape and Sexual Grooming Case Involving Grade 7 Pupil

Limpopo Teacher

By Karabo Marifi

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