Parliament Condemns Alleged Raped of 9-Year Old At Busisiwe Primary
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has expressed “profound shock, outrage and deep concern” following the alleged rape of a nine-year-old learner by an educator at Busisiwe Primary School in Zola, Soweto, calling for swift justice and the strict enforcement of the National Register for Sex Offenders.
Committee Chairperson Joy Maimela said schools are constitutionally mandated to be safe spaces where learners are protected, nurtured and educated. “Any act of violence against a child within a school environment, particularly by an educator, constitutes an egregious breach of trust and the law,” she said .
The committee’s statement came as the accused teacher, Kabelo Temba (59), handed himself over to police on Wednesday evening and appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on a charge of rape. The case was postponed to 29 October for a formal bail application .
NPA TO OPPOSE BAIL
The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed it will oppose bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the fact that it involves a minor.
NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said Temba allegedly raped the pupil in the school toilets on 6 October 2026. The child disclosed the incident to her mother the same day, and the matter was reported to police on 10 October .
“The state intends to oppose bail because of the seriousness of the offence and the fact that it involves a minor,” Mohlatlole said .
MOTHER SPEAKS: “I WANT HIM TO ROT IN JAIL”
The mother of the nine-year-old, who cannot be named to protect her daughter’s identity, said she was relieved the teacher had been apprehended but remained deeply angry about how the matter was handled.
“I want him to rot in jail. I trust whatever my daughter has said is true, even if some people are trying to say it’s not true. I’m standing with my daughter 100%,” she said .
She revealed that her daughter told her the alleged rape was not the first time. “At first, I thought it was bullying. I asked her if there was something wrong happening at school, and she said nothing until she mentioned it on Friday morning, saying that there is something that has been happening in school. And apparently, it’s not the first time” .
The mother also expressed anger that the teacher continued working after she reported the incident. “That killed me because I thought as I went and reported the matter, he would be removed from the school so that my daughter could go to school. But then my daughter was the one sitting at home while the alleged suspect was still going to work as per usual” .
PARLIAMENT CALLS FOR STRICT NRSO ENFORCEMENT
The Portfolio Committee called for systemic mechanisms to be stringently applied to eradicate sexual misconduct in schools.
“The National Register for Sex Offenders must be strictly enforced across all provincial education departments. Vetting must be continuous and uncompromising, ensuring that any individual listed on the register is permanently removed from the schooling system and barred from working with children,” Maimela said.
The committee also highlighted the essential role of the South African Council for Educators (SACE) in vetting and registering all qualified educators, noting that registration includes criminal record checks and conviction verification for sexual offences against children.
The committee called on all roleplayers to work closely together for a swift and thorough investigation and said it will “closely monitor the progress” to ensure full accountability and justice for the victim.
VETTING GAPS UNDER SCRUTINY
The case has raised questions about whether the accused teacher was properly vetted before his appointment. The Tshegofatso Pule Foundation questioned the school’s vetting processes.
“Right now we need the answers from the school to say, number one, why the teacher was not dealt with immediately,” said spokesperson Botlhale Modisane. “We also need to know what steps are taken to make sure nothing like this happens. How are the teachers vetted before entering the school, before being exposed to the children?” .
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile said the department would strengthen background checks going forward. “One of the things we will be doing going forward is to verify, when teachers are appointed, to make sure that we verify their history, and those who are found to be guilty must be put in a sexual offences register so they cannot be employed anywhere” .
SCHOOL COMMUNITY REELS
The School Governing Body chairperson, Nomvula Hlongwane, said parents were angry and wanted answers after learning the alleged incident happened in a school toilet while pupils were changing classrooms.
Hlongwane described the teacher as a humble and dedicated employee who had worked at the school for four years and offered weekend classes to struggling pupils. “He loves his children. He is disciplined. However, that doesn’t mean he is guilty or innocent. The court will determine that. This is troubling. The child deserves justice and support” .
The Gauteng Education Department has placed the teacher on precautionary suspension and arranged psychological support for the child and her family .
