MBOMBELA - Police have arrested a 30-year-old teacher on charges of child-grooming, as well as the supply of, exposure to, and the display of pornographic material to a minor.

According to the police report, the mother of the 14-year-old victim discovered an unknown cell phone in her daughter’s bedroom on November 15. The latter was hidden under a pillow. She confronted her daughter about the phone, upon which the teenager admitted that the suspect, a teacher at her school had given the phone to her. When the mother checked the messages on the phone, she discovered pornographic material that had been exchanged between her daughter and the educator. She immediately contacted the police and two cases were opened against the teacher. He was arrested on November 19.

The Provincial Commissioner for Police, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma, has welcomed the arrest of the suspect, and condemned the teacher’s behaviour in the strongest terms. "As a society we cannot allow men of his calibre to prey on our innocent children. Children go to school to learn so that they are well equipped to face the future. If adults, who have been tasked with the huge responsibility to care for our kids, betray them like this, our future is doomed," he said. 

Zuma also appealed to parents and members of the community to always be vigilant when it comes to their children. Parents should be more involved in their children's lives, as this will enable them to detect suspicious behaviour, directed at their children, earlier. 

The suspect appeared in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court today, November 20, and was remanded in custody until Friday, November 22 for a formal bail application. The investigation into the case continues, and more charges against the suspect are imminent.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Subeditor: Lynette Brink
Submitted by: Brig Leonard Hlathi