Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

A 10-year-old Grade 4 pupil is terrified of going to school after a teacher threatened to rape her if she did not give him money.

So far, the girl's mother says her daughter has stolen R3200 of the family's burial scheme savings to give to her class teacher at a secondary school north of Johannesburg.

"My daughter told me the teacher once saw her drop a R100 note at school. He then called her aside and told her that he also needed money. He told her not to tell anyone or he would rape her.

"I have thought of sending her to another school but it is too late in the year to do that.

"This happened before the June school holidays, but I only found out later," said the girl's mother, who cannot be named to protect her daughter's identity.

"My daughter lives with my mother in Marlboro. When she realised her burial society money was missing, she questioned my daughter and that was when she confessed to having given her teacher money. More than R3200 has gone missing.

"I approached the principal and the teacher. The teacher did not deny taking money from my daughter but dared me to prove that he had actually done it."

The mother then reported the matter to the Bramley police station where her daughter gave a statement and was interviewed by social workers.

"The social workers say her story is solid. I am angry that there is such a teacher. What angers me most is that my daughter is traumatised and I have to repay the money that he made her steal. He must be removed from the school."

Bramley police spokesman Inspector Moses Maphakela confirmed that a case of extortion had been opened against the teacher.

"We took the docket to court to obtain a warrant. The teacher will be arrested tomorrow [today]."

Gauteng education communications director Nanagolo Leopeng said the department was aware of the allegations.

"If we find that these allegations are true the department will take serious action against the teacher in question."