Mpumalanga legislators gun for teacher who hid rape complaint

Eight-year-old pupil allegedly told to remain silent

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

Mpumalanga lawmakers have thrown their weight behind growing public outrage after revelations that a teacher allegedly silenced and dismissed an eight-year-old pupil's complaint that she was raped during a school trip in the province.

The incident, which occurred on May 8 during a choir competition at Platorand Special School near Belfast, involved pupils from Mpilonhle Primary School in Dullstroom.

According to police, a 15-year-old boy has been identified as a suspect, arrested and released into parental custody pending further legal decisions.

During a sitting in Mbombela on Friday, MK Party member in the provincial legislature, Moses Ndimande, called for accountability.

"Recently, an eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped and harassed by a group of boys in the school bathroom," he told fellow legislators.