DISABLED People South Africa is demanding that the man who raped and impregnated Deputy Minister of Public Works Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu should be brought to book.

DISABLED People South Africa is demanding that the man who raped and impregnated Deputy Minister of Public Works Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu should be brought to book.

DPSA spokesperson Sharon Truter-Johnson said they were shocked, dismayed and infuriated by the allegations of gross human rights abuses on disabled pupils at the Filadelfia High School in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria.

"The staff's action of subjecting our children to sexual abuse betrayed our trust as parents and community. We salute the courage and bravery displayed by our deputy minister in breaking the silence on sexual abuse visited on her as a learner at the very same school," Truter-Johnson said.

"Her action represents a clear demonstration that as society we must expose violence and abuse against women and children."

She said Bogopane-Zulu's statement confirmed that the rampant abuse of pupils has a very long history.

"There are hundreds if not thousands of victims out there still carrying the scars of these atrocities," Truter-Johnson said. "Teachers who taught at the school over the years and committed the same heinous crimes might still be out there in our communities without justice being served to them.

"All of them must be brought to book regardless of age and position. We call on present and past pupils of the school and their family members to report all incidents of abuse to the relevant authorities."