A teacher at Rivoni School for the Blind near Elim has resigned, following allegations of attempting to rape a 20-year-old male Grade 11 learner. The incident has sparked outrage in the local community, prompting around 60 residents to stage a peaceful protest outside the school on Friday, 30 May.
Protesters voiced concern about the safety of learners at the school. They returned on Monday, 2 June, while mid-year exams were under way, to discuss what they claim is the second such incident. They allege that the first involved a caretaker who also attempted to rape a learner.
Community members and stakeholders have since met with Njhakanjhaka Traditional Council Chief Hlekani Mukhari to raise their concerns. The meeting also addressed the long-delayed R168 million school construction project. Learners are still housed in prefabricated classrooms and sleeping quarters more than four years after the Covid-19 lockdown.
"We feel like they are caged," one community member told Limpopo Mirror. "These learners no longer go outside; maybe the school is afraid they'll tell us what's happening. Since 2021, they've been kept inside."
Residents claim that neither of the alleged sexual assault cases was reported to the police. They allege that the school leadership had discouraged at least one parent from opening a case, to protect the school's reputation. "The family was allegedly compensated to remain silent," one resident claimed.
During the meeting with Chief Mukhari, a memorandum from residents was read aloud. The letter, backed by the Elim Njhakanjhaka, Xikhulu, Tipfuxeni and Kukwani service delivery group, accuses the school leadership of covering up sexual abuse complaints and promoting nepotism.
Rivoni is one of only six schools in Limpopo catering specifically to blind and visually impaired learners. The memorandum alleges that cases of sexual misconduct have often been dealt with internally, especially when the accused are close to the school leadership.
"We need the principal and school governing body to cooperate with the police," the memorandum reads. "Guilty employees must not be protected. The safety of the schoolchildren must come first."
Residents also raised concerns about hiring practices, alleging that job opportunities are not fairly advertised and that few staff members are from nearby communities.
In a written response dated 30 May, school principal Conny Mabaso denied wrongdoing. "I do not know of such incidents as I deal with each individual case, following the policies of the Department of Education," she wrote. Mabaso said she could not share details with unauthorised persons and encouraged residents to report concerns to the proper authorities.
She said that all job posts were advertised through the Department of Education and that the school adhered to departmental guidelines. "Proximity to the school is sometimes a requirement, but not the only one," Mabaso wrote.
Limpopo Department of Education spokesperson Mike Maringa confirmed that the department is aware of the attempted-rape allegation. He said the learner and his parents had declined to open a criminal case and that the learner had refused a medical examination. The teacher resigned on 28 October 2024. Maringa said social workers were available at special schools to offer counselling to learners in such cases.
Responding to community concerns about why learners were reportedly being confined to the premises, Maringa said this was due to ongoing construction at the school. He said the learners' condition required strict monitoring and supervision, and the restrictions were in place for their safety, until the project was completed.
This latest incident comes amid growing concern about sexual abuse in schools across the Vhembe District. A recent study by Prof Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi from the University of South Africa found that many educators in rural Limpopo were unaware of their legal obligation to report cases of statutory rape. "There is a major gap in knowledge," said Mavhandu-Mudzusi. "When we discussed it, most were surprised."
Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that no case had been opened. "We don't have any registered rape case for Rivoni School for the Blind," he said.
Dathi said the Waterval policing area had recorded five rape cases in May 2025, including in Waterval Section 3, Valdezia, Rhulani and Basani New Stands. One rape case has been reported so far in June, in Mashamba Tshivhuyuni village.