Learners assessed ahead of testimoney in school sexual assault case

Learners who claim to have been sexually assaulted by a scholar patroller at the AB Xuma primary school in Soweto are being assessed to determine if they can testify in court when his trial begins.

More than 50 learners have identified the accused as their alleged perpetrator.

This emerged at the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday where the accused made a brief appearance.

Initially 87 learners from the school alleged they’d been sexually violated by the accused.

The case has been postponed to the 30th of this month for further investigation.

Gauteng Education Department Steve Mabona says, “We are making sure that children are ready to appear in court. In our task team we have social workers and all the other stakeholders.”

“So when parents raise issues they raise them directly with us so we can assist,” he adds.

He also says they are assisting parents who want to move their children to other schools.