The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has expressed deep concern after a 37-year-old mathematics teacher from Ivory Park Secondary School was arrested for allegedly raping a Grade 12 learner.
The educator was arrested on Wednesday in connection with allegations that the incident took place late last year while the learner was still in Grade 11.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said the alleged incident occurred in December 2025.
“According to information at our disposal, it is alleged that the incident occurred in December 2025, when the learner was in Grade 11, with the learner’s mother formally reporting the matter to the school principal on 2 March 2026.”
Preliminary information suggests the educator had been offering the learner private tutoring sessions outside official school hours at his residence, where the alleged assault is believed to have taken place.
Mabona said the learner had earlier attempted to report the matter after allegedly experiencing continued inappropriate behaviour from the educator at school, before the arrest was eventually made.
“The educator was arrested on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, in connection with the alleged rape. It is reported that the arrest followed attempts by the educator to evade authorities, as he had allegedly been absent from school earlier this week,” he added.
The department confirmed that internal processes were initiated on Thursday to address the serious allegations.
Officials also said they were engaging with the learner’s family and had offered counselling and therapeutic support during what they described as a deeply traumatic time.
Meanwhile, Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane said the allegations had deeply disturbed the department.
“As the Department, we are deeply disturbed by these allegations against an educator who is entrusted with the care and development of our learners. Educators are entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing and guiding our learners and, within the schooling environment, they effectively serve as parents to the children placed under their care.
“They must therefore always contribute towards ensuring the safety, wellbeing and development of our learners at all times. While these remain allegations that must be tested through the appropriate legal processes, we take matters of this nature extremely seriously and will ensure that our internal processes are followed accordingly,” said Chiloane.
The Star
