Department of Education MEC condemns alleged rape of a five-year-old learner

The Eastern Cape Department of Education MEC, Fundile Gade has learnt with sadness of the gruesome rape of a girl learner (5) while travelling back home from Emdeni Primary School in Bizana on February 29.

Spokesperson for the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape, Malibongwe Mtima said that although details surrounding this incident are still sketchy for now, a case has been opened with the South African Police Service to investigate the matter.

He added that internally, the department has already activated a district team to visit the school and family while investigation will also be undertaken toe stablish facts around the matter.

“Since it is still early, the department will pronounce on the next step as it will be determined by the planned investigation, starting today, March 4, 2024.

Gade said that he has been left speechless by such a brutal and inhumane assault to a child, this calls for moral reset in their communities.

“We expect the investigations of this incident to provide us with a detailed account leading to this incident. Should anyone be found having negligently acted leading to this incident, heads will roll. Additionally, what disturbs me most is that elders are supposed to protect children, not prey on them, surely this will leave a lifetime scar in the life of this innocent child. We condemn this incident with the strongest terms as it striped the child off her dignity,” said Gade.

He calls upon the law enforcement agencies to speed up the investigation so that the culprit can face jail time for this barbaric incident.

Gade said that the department will activate its psychosocial support for affected family, classmates and the school.

“This will ensure that they receive debriefing and counselling from the Department’s Education Social Support Services (ESSS).”

The matter is still under investigation by both the department. Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed that a case of rape was opened at SAPS in Mbizana.

“It is alleged that on February 29, 2024, a girl (5) was on her way home from school when she was allegedly raped. The investigation is continuing,” said Naidu.