"I AM dealing with a suicidal child."
These were the words of a distraught Mpumalanga mum, whose 15-year-old daughter was allegedly raped by a teacher at Curro Mbombela in November 2024.
The 41-year-old mum joined hundreds of people who took to the streets on Tuesday, 1 April, to demand justice for CweCwe, a seven-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape who was allegedly raped in school.
No one has been arrested for the alleged rape.
The mum said her daughter was allegedly raped on school premises on 7 November 2024. The girl was sent to collect a cable when the teacher allegedly sexually assaulted her.
According to her mum, the perpetrator threatened to kill her daughter, if she told anyone about the ordeal.
She claimed the school didn't do much about the case.
She told Daily Sun a case was opened with the Nelspruit police, but they were surprised to see the perpetrator walk freely a few days after his arrest. She said they were never informed about reasons why the case was never enrolled.
"Up to now, the perpetrator is walking around the streets of Nelspruit and changing schools. After the incident, he was arrested, and we don't know how he was suddenly out. When we asked the investigating officer if he was out on bail, he said no, he couldn't explain to us.
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"I want justice for my child. I want that guy to answer for what he did because everyday I'm dealing with a suicidal child, a child who is always in and out of hospital. A child who is now on anti-depressants," she said.
Curro Nelspruit has since issued a statement about the incident, saying it will continue giving its full support and co-operation to authorities in bringing the matter to justice.
"Curro is committed to maintaining a safe, disciplined and supportive learning environment in which every child matters. In incidents of this nature where the safety of children is compromised, we work closely with parents, authorities and the broader school community to ensure such matters are handled responsibly and in the best interest of the pupils," read the statement.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Brigadier Donald Mdluli confirmed that a case of rape was opened, and a suspect was arrested a week after the case was opened.
"The matter was not enrolled in court pending an investigation. The investigation is still ongoing, and police are collaboratively working with prosecutors. We are adamant that once outstanding matters are completed, then the matter will be brought back to the court's roll," he said.
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