The 15-year-old school girl was allegedly raped in the toilets by two boys who took turns in raping her on the 8 March 2019. The incident took place five days before the provincial safety summit which was held, on 12 and 13 March, in Rustenburg. The summit saw the department engaging with key stakeholders including, traditional leaders, businesses and other government departments with the hopes of ending school violence. It is not yet clear whether the alleged perpetrators have been arrested or suspended from school following the incident. The police and the North West Education department are yet to comment.

One of the resolutions decided upon during the safety summit is that the department would provide 200 security guards to schools that have been identified in the province. The security guards will start with their duties on the 01 April 2019. It’s understood that, after learning of the incident, the department invited the parents of the victim to discuss the incident and to also provide counselling for the girl and for them as well. It’s also understood that a case of rape has been opened with the local police station in that area.

OFM News