Cape Times reports that a bus driver is expected to appear in the Piketberg Magistrate’s Court this week on sexual assault allegations involving a 16-year-old school pupil.
The safety of school children had been in the spotlight recently after a 7-year-old pupil was allegedly raped at Bergview College, an independent school in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, while waiting for her transport in October last year. Western Cape police confirmed the Piketberg matter was being investigated and the suspect had been arrested. Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson for Education MEC David Maynier, said the pupil reported the matter to the school on 27 March, the same day as the incident, and the bus company was contacted to replace the driver. The school followed the Abuse No More protocol by reporting the matter to the district social worker to support the learner, and the parents of the learner were also encouraged to open a case with SA Police Service. Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation, Billy Claasen said the family, who lived on a farm, had reached out to him after they felt police were dragging their feet with the case.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicola Daniels at Cape Times
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