Education MEC advises parents to vet drivers after rape of 5-year old learner

LIMPOPO Education MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, has advised parents to vet scholar transport drivers following the rape of a five-year old Grade R learner.

Lerule-Ramakhanya said the vetting should be done especially in instances where the learners were not using the departmental –approved scholar transport.

The five-year-old girl was raped by a 39-year old scholar transport driver. The incident happened at Hlabine village in Maake area on Monday this week.

According to police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the driver dropped off the other children as usual, but instead of taking the victim home, he parked on the side of the road and raped her.

“The suspect afterward threatened the victim not to report the incident, but upon arrival at home, she informed her mother,” Ledwaba said.

The man was arrested the following day, has since appeared in the Naphuno magistrate court. He will appear again on 18 April 2024 for bail application.