As the Department of Social Development marks the launch of Child Protection Week, Gauteng Department of Education says it will investigate a rape of a pupil in P.T. XULU Secondary School in Vosloorus.
The teenager was allegedly raped by a member of the School Governing Body – who is also a local priest at the Vision of Christ Church.
“I’m so scared even to walk alone. I don’t trust anybody,” says the teenager.
The teen is a devout Christian who shared the stage with their pastor.
A fellow church member says: “The teenager had been his servant, but in a strange manner. When the pastor preached, the teenager would wipe off his sweat. He would also pour him some water during the sermon.”
But the teenager’s humility took a knock last November.
“He sent me to his room to fetch some jacket, so he followed me and went to fetch condoms in a drawer, he said I must lie down flat in the bed,” adds the teenager.
“My marks dropped because I was not focusing, he was coming and standing at the door to see if I am okay because I couldn’t sleep.”
Lebohang Selepe the SGB Chairperson of P.T. Xulu Sec. School says: “We took a position on Tuesday once we have heard of the developments, and we suspended him from the body.”
The department has intervened.
Steve Mabona the Gauteng Education Spokesperson says “We will be launching an investigation. Our psycho-social team will visit the family on Monday to have an understanding on how we can support the child.”
It took five months for the pupil to report the incident. A case was opened and the suspect arrested on May 18.
But two church members allegedly attempted to make the case disappear.
“So we entered in the car, they said I must tell the video that the pastor did nothing to me, to withdraw the statement,” says the teenager.
Fearing for his life – the teenager obliged as seen in the video.
The family believes the video might have influenced the case as the suspect was later released.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Lungelo Dlamini says: “The prosecutor did not place the case on the roll because of outstanding investigation. That is why the suspect was released but we are continuing with the investigation. We know of his whereabouts and it won’t be a problem to put the case back on the roll.”
But his release has angered the community resulting in his church building being demolished.
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