Police in Thohoyandou have arrested a school principal last week Monday, January 27, for allegedly raping a schoolgirl while promising her marriage and money to further her studies.

Grison Boy Muthaphuli (58), the principal of Phaswana Secondary in Sibasa, Venda was released on R1 000 bail after a brief appearance in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Wednesday morning. His case was postponed to March 3, this year.

Muthaphuli of Block Q, in Sibasa was arrested on Monday at about 20:30 while driving to Shayandima. It is alleged that he was on his way to persuade a 20-year-old girl to withdraw the rape case she opened against him at the Thohoyandou police station earlier during the day.

The Regional Director of Education, Mr Masotsha Mathivha confirmed that there is a pending case of misconduct against Muthaphuli but that it has been passed on to the provincial level. "Up to so far, we cannot say much, except that we are waiting for a directive from the province."

The Superintendent for Education in the province, Prof Harry Nengwekhulu said, "I saw a case in my office sometime last year. This guy was charged with misconduct. Now we are still waiting for the presiding officer, an expert within the department who has knowledge of management of labour issues, to take a decision," said Nengwekhulu while adding that he also heard about the rape case.

Mathivha said Muthaphuli was still reporting to the school, as they were still waiting for a directive from the department's lawyers.