KZN man who allegedly raped six Nkandla school pupils, arrested with community's help
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A KwaZulu-Natal man accused of raping six pupils from an Nkandla high school has been arrested with the help of the community.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, welcomed the arrest. The suspect was apprehended in Durban on May 20 following a joint effort by law enforcement, community members, and other key stakeholders.
According to the KZN Department of Education, the suspect allegedly raped six learners.
'This arrest demonstrates what is possible when communities and stakeholders work together. We remain deeply concerned about the safety of our learners, and this horrific incident has shaken us all. However, the unity shown in tracking down the alleged perpetrator gives us hope that such evil will not go unchallenged,' said Hlomuka.
He commended the swift and coordinated response by the police, the school governing body, parents, and local residents who collaborated in ensuring the suspect was located and brought into custody.
In response to the trauma experienced by the victims, the Department of Education has deployed psychologists to provide immediate and ongoing psychosocial support to the affected learners and their families.
The MEC was expected to visit the school on Thursday to meet with the affected families and the school's leadership.
"Our priority is to support the learners through this extremely difficult time and ensure their wellbeing is not compromised further,' Hlomuka added.
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli also praised the arrest, highlighting the critical role played by the Bhekisizwe Taxi Association in Nkandla and the broader community in tracking down and detaining the suspect.
'I applaud the courage of those who spoke out, the determination of our law enforcement officers, and the resilience of the Bizimali community,' said Premier Ntuli.
Ntuli reaffirmed the provincial government's zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), stressing that no one, woman, child, or vulnerable person should live in fear.
'Our communities must become safe spaces, and the wheels of justice must turn swiftly and decisively,' he said.
He also called for the strengthening of community policing forums, survivor support systems, and for more men to actively stand against abuse.
The premier further acknowledged progress in two other GBV-related cases in the province. He welcomed developments in the case of Ayabonga Mjilo, which has been postponed to June 23 and is due to be transferred to the high court. He called for the harshest sentence if the accused is convicted.
In the Ndwedwe case, Ntuli condemned the kidnapping and repeated rape of a woman by her former partner and commended the police for the swift arrest of the suspect.
'Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. We owe it to survivors to ensure they are heard, supported, and protected,' Ntuli said.
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