Kenyan national in court over alleged rape of school learners

A 44-year-old Kenyan national has appeared before the Groblersdal Magistrates’ Court in Limpopo on two counts of rape and two counts of sexual grooming.

The identity of the accused is being withheld to protect the identities of the child complainants and prevent secondary victimisation.

It is alleged that, since 2022, the accused recruited learners from a local school and took them to his rented room in town.

He allegedly filmed the children naked, gave them money and compelled them to perform sexual acts on him under the pretence that they would be given cellphones.

The matter came to light after the victims were allegedly instructed to recruit other learners from the same school.

This resulted in the alleged abuse being disclosed at the school, after which the matter was reported to police and the accused was arrested.

The State is opposing his release on bail.

The matter was postponed to 23 September 2026 for the accused to obtain legal representation and for further investigations.

He remains in custody.

NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi said the NPA views allegations of sexual offences against children in a serious light.

“ We will prioritise the prosecution of this matter, taking into account the vulnerability of the complainants,” said Malabi.