File Photo: Jarryd Westerdale.
In a statement released by Provincial Police spokesperson, Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, she explained that the Gauteng Police management commended the investigating team of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Krugersdorp following the man’s arrest.
The suspect has been charged with the statutory rape of a 12-year-old boy.
Peters said that preliminary investigations showed that the 23-year-old man and the boy met on a chat group for the first time a few weeks ago.
The suspect has already resigned from his job as a high school teacher in Krugersdorp, according to the statement.
He appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court on 23 July.
“The South African Police Service remain committed to prioritising the investigation of crimes against women, children and vulnerable persons. It is within this context that the investigating team has been urged to work closely with the prosecutors towards a watertight case, in the best interest of the victim who is a minor,” said Peters.