JOHANNESBURG – A deputy principal accused of raping an 8-year-old learner at Bronkhorstspruit Primary School remains in custody following his court appearance, as the Gauteng Department of Education confirmed it is investigating serious incidents at two separate schools across the province.
The 53-year-old educator appeared at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, facing three counts of rape for allegedly sexually assaulting the learner on school premises between June 2024 and August 2025. The case has been postponed to Thursday, 11 September, for a bail application.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) this week issued a statement confirming the incident and outlining its response to what it described as “two serious incidents currently under investigation.”
“At Bronkhorstspruit Primary School, a learner reported an alleged sexual assault involving an educator,” said Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the GDE. “The matter is under investigation by the South African Police Services (SAPS), and the alleged perpetrator was arrested and appeared in court today.”
Mabona confirmed it will refer the matter to the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) for further investigation and pledged to “fully support their processes and outcomes.”
The GDE statement also revealed disruptions at Tiyelelani Secondary School in Soshanguve on Wednesday, where three educators have been identified for alleged “ill-treatment of learners, sexual assault, and ill treatment of parents.”
To manage tensions and ensure stability, these educators have been preliminarily transferred to the district office while the department conducts its inquiry, according to the statement.
Despite the allegations, preliminary examinations at Tiyelelani Secondary continued without disruption. The GDE confirmed that all stakeholders agreed learners should return to normal schooling from Thursday.
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The School Governing Body has scheduled a parents’ meeting for this weekend to engage the school community on the matter.
The alleged abuse at Bronkhorstspruit Primary School came to light when the victim’s mother noticed the 8-year-old child was walking strangely. Upon questioning, the child disclosed what had happened, prompting the mother to report the matter to police.
The deputy principal was arrested on 1 September, and the state has indicated it intends to oppose his bail application when the case resumes next week.
Court documents allege the educator raped the child on three separate occasions during school hours on the school premises over the 14-month period.
In its statement, the GDE emphasized that “the safety and well-being of learners remain our highest priority” and pledged to continue working with stakeholders to create safe learning environments.
“We continue to work with stakeholders to create a safe and supportive environment conducive to quality teaching and learning,” the department stated.
The incidents have raised fresh concerns about vetting procedures and safeguarding measures in Gauteng schools, with both cases involving allegations of serious misconduct by educators in positions of trust.
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Both matters are now subject to parallel investigations – criminal proceedings through the courts and SAPS, and internal disciplinary processes through the ELRC for the education sector.
