The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng appalled at the horrid allegation of eight learners from Khomani Primary School in Diepkloof being drugged at school and taken to another location where they were allegedly raped. We demand that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) implement stringent safety measures and regular searches in schools to ensure that learners do not bring weapons, drugs, and illicit substances to school.
Reports are suggesting that the learners were raped after they consumed a drugged non-alcoholic beverage that was given to them by a grade seven learner.
Schools must be safe havens where children are safe, protected, encouraged to learn, and provided with opportunities for their future. This horrendous incident represents a devastating failure to safeguard our children. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this traumatic time. No child, no person, should ever endure such suffering.
The DA Gauteng welcomes the arrest of the alleged rapist and the suspension of the implicated learner. We also welcome that the department’s psychosocial support was provided to the victims. We call on the South African Police Services to prioritise this investigation and ensure that justice is served swiftly.
Furthermore, we demand that GDE ensure that the disciplinary hearing proceeds with utmost sensitivity and fairness, and without delay.
We urge the department to remain steadfast in its duty of prioritising both the well-being of the victims and the fair application of disciplinary processes. Our children deserve to be protected and should never be subjected to such cruelty.
The DA will continue to monitor this case very closely, and we will conduct an oversight at school to ascertain the support it needs, as well as the state of learning and teaching and availability of resources.