By Staff Reporter
A St Andrew’s College staff member accused of raping a seven-year-old child briefly appeared in the Makhanda Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 8 September 2023. His bail has been extended, and he will appear in court again on 3 October 2023. The man’s name cannot be revealed as he has not yet pleaded.
St Andrew’s College in Makhanda is one of South Africa’s most expensive boys’ boarding schools. In a letter dated 12 September 2023 addressed to parents and staff, St Andrew’s principal Tom Hamilton stated that the staff member has been formally charged with disciplinary offences by the school and will appear before a disciplinary hearing.
“We have completed our own independent assessment of the available and known facts, and based on our findings, disciplinary charges have been presented to the suspended employee who has been invited to present his defence before an independently appointed chairperson”, Hamilton said.
The man remains suspended from school. The rape accused was first arrested on 30 July 2023, and was immediately suspended from the school.