The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga is outraged by the increasing cases of rape in our schools, and we call on the province to deal with this matter urgently.
According to the recent Crime Stats on the period from July to September 2024, at-least five learners were raped in Mpumalanga schools. This is a concerning increase from the two cases recorded in the previous quarter.
The DA calls on the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, especially the Departments of Education and Community Safety, Security and Liaison to urgently deal with this matter.
It is unacceptable that for learners in Mpumalanga schools, violence and abuse are an inevitable part of their school environment. We need to make our schools safe and conducive for quality education.
The rise of rape cases in the province compared to the first quarter of 2024/2025, is also a cause for grave concern and underscores the need for urgent action. Between April and June 2024, Mpumalanga recorded 646 cases of rape. This increased to 713 cases just between July and September 2024. This means that 67 more people were raped in Mpumalanga within last three months, taking the overall rape cases to 713.
The DA is resolute in its stance that urgent action must be taken to protect learners from rape in schools. We also call for more stringent protective measures, greater accountability, and justice for the all the rape victims across the province.