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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will oppose bail for a 59-year-old teacher accused of raping a nine-year-old pupil at Busisiwe Primary School in Zola, Soweto.
Kabelo Temba appeared in the Protea magistrate’s court on Thursday on a charge of rape. The case was postponed to October 29 for a formal bail application.
NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said Temba allegedly raped the pupil in the school toilets on October 6.
The child allegedly disclosed the incident to her mother the same day, while the matter was reported to police on October 10.
“Temba handed himself over to police on Wednesday, October 21, before appearing in court,” Mohlatlole said.
“The state intends to oppose bail because of the seriousness of the offence and the fact that it involves a minor,” he said.
The Gauteng department of education placed the teacher on precautionary suspension following the allegations.
The suspension followed protests at the school by parents, who demanded action and raised concerns about how the allegations had been handled.
The department also initiated psychological support for the pupil.
The NPA said it takes allegations of sexual offences against children seriously and is committed to ensuring cases involving vulnerable victims are handled with sensitivity and diligence.
TimesLIVE
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