BAIL DENIED FOR FORMER TEACHER ACCUSED OF RAPE
Mankweng, Limpopo – A 58-year- old teacher from Limpopo in Capricorn district, was denied bail by Mankweng Magistrates’ Court after being charged with a rape of a 13-year-old girl. The names of the child, school and the accused are concealed in order to avoid secondary victimisation of the child.
It is alleged that the accused was arrested on 31 March 2025 after the child had reported the incident to the principal that she was being raped by the teacher and the principal immediately alerted the police. When the police arrived at school, the accused fled from the premises.
During the judgement, the court remarked that the state has a strong case, and there is a likelihood that the accused can interfere with the state witnesses as he has already sent people to apologise on his behalf. “The safety of the accused can be compromised, and his release can cause public disorder and he is also a flight risk since he evaded his arrest for three days.
The onus is on the applicant to prove that exceptional circumstances do exist, and that the interests of justice permit the applicant to be released on bail”. The accused failed to discharge exceptional circumstances and his bail application was dismissed.
The matter is remanded to 20 June 2025, for further investigations and the accused remains in custody.
