NW probes alleged rape of deaf learner, delayed parental notification
The NW Dept of Ed launched an investigation into how a 13-year-old deaf learner was raped in school
In 2024, a 13-year-old deaf learner at a special-needs school in the North West Department of Education allegedly suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a 16-year-old learner, according to the department's spokesperson Elias Malindi. The victim's family claims they were only notified of the incident more than a year later, accidentally, while the alleged attacker's family was informed immediately.
Malindi says the department is probing why the matter was not reported through the correct internal channel. The investigation has been handed over to the Department of Labour, which is currently conducting the inquiry. If charges are to be laid, it will be based on the findings of the investigation. Save the Children South Africa CEO Gugu Xaba has expressed concern over the arrest of the 16-year-old in connection with alleged child sexual abuse material linked to the online network known as "764".
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
