Rape case against teacher adjourned at Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court

The rape case involving a 50-year-old educator from Mbilwi Secondary School in Limpopo has been temporarily adjourned in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court. This to allow a decision from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the correct magisterial court to prosecute him.  

The suspect was arrested on Friday for allegedly repeatedly raping a 17-year-old learner in 2018.  

He allegedly raped her at a lodge in Louis Trichardt and at his home at Ha-Makhuvha village outside Thohoyandou. The accused’s lawyer, Advocate Ratshilumela Makhera, says the prosecution wants certainty if the Louis Trichardt or the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court should be used.  

Makhera says the accused is denying the allegations levelled against him.

“The problem today is that the prosecution wants to get a decision from the DPP as to whether these three offences can be trailed at once at the same court. Because we are told the first rape took place at Ha–Makhuvha twice. And at Ha–Makhuvha, he seemed to be a little worried and he seems to be shocked. He doesn’t believe what exactly happened and he totally denied allegations against him.” 

Meanwhile, police in the North West have arrested a 46-year-old man for the alleged rape of four minors.  

Spokesperson Aafje Botma says three of the victims are related to the suspect, while the other one is the neighbour’s child.  

The arrest was made in Maboloka near Brits.  

Botma says the suspect was expected to appear in court on Monday.  

“According to information available at this stage, three of the victims,  9 and 17-year-old sisters and their 8-year-old cousin, had been staying with family, including their 46-year-old grandfather. Allegedly, the 17-year-old victim reported to her teacher at school on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, that her grandfather had been raping her since she was in Grade 2. It was also determined that the two younger girls were also allegedly raped by the suspect. Furthermore, on Thursday, 13 May 2021, the mother of a 14-year-old, who is a neighbour, alleged that her daughter was also raped by the same suspect.”