WC teacher handed life sentence for raping pupil

JOHANNESBURG - A high school teacher has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a learner in a classroom during school hours. 

The Worcester Regional Court handed life orientation teacher, Jeremy Claasen, a life sentence after he was convicted for the rape of a grade eight learner. 

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National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the 38-year-old started chatting with the victim on social media platforms after she joined the school in grade seven. 

"On 07 February 2020, she went to his classroom to charge her phone. She approached him, and after he closed the classroom door and told her to sit on a bench. He made advances towards her despite her resistance, and he raped her in the classroom."