A former Soweto school teacher serving life sentence for raping a 10-year-old boy, is embroiled in another rape scandal in prison.

A fellow inmate has opened a case at the Kameeldrift police station against him after he allegedly woke up to find a fellow inmate trying to rape him.

The ex-teacher and the inmate, known to Sowetan, are both imprisoned at the Baviaanspoort prison, east of Pretoria.

Warrant Officer Johann van Wyk has confirmed the case. He said the complainant has opened a common assault charge against the fromer teacher, who has also laid a counter charge of common assault against the complainant.

Sowetan has gathered that this was because the fellow inmate beat him up during the alleged rape attempt.

"He (the complainant) opened a case of common assault because there were no clothes removed, there was no penetration," said Van Wyk.

"What happened was that this man was sleeping. When he woke up this man was touching his bums," Van Wyk said.

"However, the former teacher claims he was going to drink water at night when he stumbled over the man. He also opened a charge of common assault."

Van Wyk added that police have concluded their investigation.

"The two dockets have been sent to court. The court will decide whether to prosecute or not."

The ex-teacher was sentenced to life imprisonment last year for raping a boy in his class.

The Protea Magistrate's Court in Soweto heard during the trial that the teacher instructed the pupil to remain in class after school hours as punishment.

He had accused the boy of damaging a textbook.

However, he undressed the boy and raped him in class.

Welcoming the life sentence last year, the National Prosecuting Authority said the boy's relative had noticed that the child was not physically well when he got home.

nkosib@sowetan.co.za