GDE to probe rape accused Midrand teacher

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has launched internal disciplinary processes following the arrest of a 37-year-old teacher from a school near Midrand for the alleged rape of a Grade 12 learner.

The incident reportedly stems from last year when the learner was in Grade 11. It is alleged that the teacher offered the student private Mathematics lessons at his residence outside of regular school hours.

According to Department spokesperson Steve Mabona, the learner had previously attempted to report the matter after experiencing ongoing inappropriate behaviour from the educator on school grounds.

"We can confirm that as a department we have already initiated processes to attend to these allegations," Mabona said. 

"We have already made contact with the family to offer professional services like counselling so the learner can get healing."

The department is monitoring the case closely as the legal and disciplinary proceedings move forward.