The Limpopo Provincial Commissioner has applauded the arrest of a 58-year-old teacher who had been on the run after allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old girl multiple times.
The Star previously reported that police launched a manhunt after another educator escorted the female learner to her mother on March 27, informing her of the ordeal.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng stated that after the case was opened, the suspect pretended to surrender at the police station but instead fled from the law.
“A case of rape was registered for further investigation. The suspect drove off with his vehicle under the pretense that he was going to the Police station. When he was contacted, he claimed he was in Hammanskraal in Pretoria and the cellphone was then switched off.”
The suspect was arrested on 31 March, following an extensive investigation by detectives from the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the 13-year-old female learner was allegedly raped several times since November 2024 until March 2025.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba stated that the Educator is expected to appear before Mankweng Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 02 April 2025, facing a charge of rape.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police, has commended the arrest and assured the public that justice will be served for the young girl. She also emphasized that additional support from social workers will be provided to ensure the family and victim receive adequate psycho-social care.
“We will do everything to ensure that justice prevails for our young girl. We will never allow anyone to molest children under our watch. Our specialised FCS unit will ensure that we have a watertight case to ensure that justice prevails in this matter.
''SAPS is still committed to protecting the most vulnerable sector of our society against perpetrators of gender-based violence in this province. The FCS will continue to work closely with the social workers to ensure that the family and victim receive adequate psycho-social support,” she added.
The Star