Sexual grooming charge added against Limpopo teacher
A charge of sexual grooming has also been added against the Limpopo primary school teacher accused of raping a 13-year old grade 7 pupil.
The 58-year-old teacher, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, made his second appearance in the Mankweng Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
His bail application was postponed to Tuesday to allow for the finalisation of cross-examination and for evidence to be argued by the defence and state.
"During the bail hearing, the applicant submitted an affidavit and the state opposed his bail and led the evidence of the Investigating Officer opposing the application," said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzangi.
"The offence falls under schedule 6 of Criminal Procedure Act, therefore, the burden rests with the applicant to satisfy the court that exceptional circumstances exist that in the interests of justice permit his release on bail."
While the police had previously reported that the alleged abuse began in November last year, it emerged in court that the teacher had allegedly been sexually assaulting the pupil since July last year until he was caught.
He was arrested after another teacher found him allegedly raping the pupil at their school in Makotopong outside Polokwane last month.
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