Police in Limpopo have launched an urgent search for a 58-year-old primary school teacher accused of raping a 13-year-old pupil.
Limpopo mobilises resources to track down alleged rapist teacher
The incident took place in the Capricorn South Education District, where the teacher is believed to have sexually assaulted the learner multiple times between November 2024 and early March 2025.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, the case came to light on Thursday, 27 March 2025, when another teacher accompanied the girl to her mother and disclosed the alleged abuse.
Police say the suspect gave the impression that he was going to turn himself in but instead drove away and has not been seen since. He claimed to be in Hammanskraal, Pretoria, before switching off his phone.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has instructed that all available resources be used to track him down.
She condemned the abuse, stating that children must be protected by those responsible for their care, not harmed by them.
A rape case has been registered, and the search for the suspect is ongoing. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Police minister reacts to Cwecwe rape outrage
The manhunt in Limpopo comes as national focus remains on the high-profile case of Cwecwe, a seven-year-old girl allegedly raped at her school, Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has confirmed that three individuals, including the school principal, are now regarded as suspects in that case.
All relevant statements have been collected, and DNA tests have been completed.
The matter has now been handed over to a senior state prosecutor for review. Mchunu emphasised that child protection units are actively working on the case and have the support of social workers and trauma support teams.
Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana of the Eastern Cape SAPS said the case was officially reported on 16 October 2024 and that Cwecwe has received both medical and psychological care.
Mchunu also addressed the public’s demand for accountability, saying another rape case involving a minor named Alu is progressing, with the suspect already in custody.
Civil groups, including Not In My Name International and the MK Youth League, have publicly criticised Bergview College for its handling of the incident. In particular, the school principal has been accused of failing to report the rape to the Department of Education and refusing to provide a DNA sample, unlike other staff members who have cooperated with the investigation.
As a result, the Eastern Cape Department of Education is moving to deregister the school, citing its failure to ensure a safe learning environment.
Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has been briefed, and plans are underway to place affected learners in alternative schools.
Cwecwe’s mother, Thandekile Mtshizana, said her daughter came home in pain and was later diagnosed by a doctor as having been sexually assaulted.
After further questioning, the child revealed that a staff member had asked her to sweep a classroom before she fell asleep and woke up to find the transport driver waiting.
Following these developments, civil society has continued to demand justice, while police maintain that the investigation remains a top priority.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact the Childline South Africa helpline at 0800 055 555 or the GBV Command Centre at 0800 428 428. Swisher Post stands firmly against all forms of abuse and urges anyone affected to seek professional help.
