KZN Education pleads with Bizimali High parents not to deregister their children after rape of 6 learners

DURBAN - The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Education Department is pleading with parents not to deregister their children from the Bizimali High School, following the alleged rape of six learners. 
 
The learners were allegedly assaulted at their rented accommodation in the deep rural area of Hloshane in Nkandla. 
 
The man accused of the crimes appeared in court on Thursday, following his re-arrest in Durban after escaping from custody earlier this week. 

Several learners at Bizimali High School told Eyewitness News that they had requested to be moved to other schools, citing safety concerns as a result of the alleged rape incidents.
 
Some parents and guardians said they fear their children could be victims. 

The school governing body (SGB) said it had to take the learners' safety in its own hands, despite a lack of adequate tools. 

READ: Bizimali High School SGB calls for assistance with security after 6 pupils raped
 
The SGB, taxi associations in the area as well as learners and teachers, met with the provincial education MEC Sipho Hlomuka on Thursday. 
 
Hlomuka assured them that safety efforts would be ramped up, while appealing to their patience.

"Let's give the school another chance, especially because this incident did not happen in the school, it happened outside the school." 

Hlomuka added that the department and the community would collaborate in ensuring the implementation of a new security plan to keep learners safe.