More than 11,000 Limpopo pupils pregnant

More than 11 000 students in Limpopo are pregnant and teachers and saints are said to be responsible for most of these pregnancies. Blessed are adult men who give young girls a shower with gifts but often disappear when the girl falls pregnant. Last year, the South African Council of Educators (Sace) reported that 11 teachers from across the country were fired after being convicted of various charges related to sexual offenses. Most of them, the organization said, were fired for sexual violence against students. There are currently 11 287 pregnant students in schools across the five districts of Limpopo. Most of the …

More than 11 000 students in Limpopo are pregnant and teachers and saints are said to be responsible for most of these pregnancies. Blessed are adult men who give young girls a shower with gifts but often disappear when the girl falls pregnant.

Last year, the South African Council of Educators (Sace) reported that 11 teachers from across the country were fired after being convicted of various charges related to sexual offenses. Most of them, the organization said, were fired for sexual violence against students.

There are currently 11 287 pregnant students in schools across the five districts of Limpopo. Most of those who are pregnant are said to be between 10 and 19 years old.

Responding to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in June this year, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said the statistics were taken between April 2021 and March this year.

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DA MP Desiree van der Walt said yesterday that the basic education department has introduced the basic education pregnancy policy, which requires schools to submit a police report if a girl under the age of 16 falls pregnant. This includes “rape of students where [teachers] the alleged accused ”, she said.

The legislator, however, said the DA was concerned that many cases had not yet been reported to the South African Police Service (Saps).

According to recent crime statistics provided by the Saps in Limpopo, sexual offenses increased by 6.7% in the fourth quarter of 2021. The province recorded 1 084 sex offenses. Thohoyandou, Mankweng 14.3% and Giyani 24.3% increased 8.2%.

In May, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola pointed out nationally, only 19% of sexual offense cases were moving through the system, Van Der Walt said. The remaining 15 605 cases, or 81%, were arrears.

Van Der Walt said his party was concerned that victims who were brave enough to report cases would eventually withdraw.

Recently, a Grade 12 student from Mulautsi High School outside Polokwane grabbed triplets. The girl was among 28 pregnant students at the school. This year, former MEC for basic education in Limpopo Polly Boshielo said that the youngest pregnant student in Limpopo last year was only 13 years old.

A 18-year-old former Grade 12 student said in N’wamitwa, outside Tzaneen The Citizen she had blessings dated.

“First he gave me a shower with expensive gifts and romantic dinners. But since I told him I was pregnant, he disappears in the thin air. At least it still gives me money, ”she said.

Sowell Tjebane, provincial secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union in Limpopo, criticized the figures and said yesterday that teachers who prey on young girls must know that the law will not be merciful to them and that their place is behind bars .

– news@citizen.co.za