12-year-old Grade 7 pupil was allegedly raped near a primary school in Bulwer, in the KwaZulu-Natal interior.
In a statement by the provincial education department on Tuesday, the child was attacked on Monday when she was sent back home, not far from the school, to fetch her face mask.
She disclosed the rape incident to the principal who took her to the clinic, and the matter was reported to the police.
Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu appealed to the community to help the police with any information that may lead to the arrest of the rapist.
He also urged parents to ensure their children leave home wearing masks at all times, not only for compliance at school but for their safety.
“As a department we are giving the pupil socio-psychological support. We condemn this barbaric act by the perpetrator and we are working with police to have him apprehended,” Mshengu said.
