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- A Grade 7 girl was raped while en route to school in Bulwer.
- The pupil had to go back home to fetch a face mask after arriving at school without one.
- When she arrived back at school, she reported that she had been raped.
*UPDATE: A 17-year-old teen has been arrested following the rape of a 12-year-old Grade 7 pupil in Bulwer, KwaZulu-Natal.
The pupil was allegedly raped while en route to school after she went back home to fetch her face mask.
According to police, the girl was allegedly raped by the teen while at Mahohoho area in Donnybrook on Monday.
"A 17-year-old suspect was arrested this morning for rape by Donnybrook SAPS," police spokesperson Thembeka Mbhele said.
A rape case was opened at Donnybrook SAPS and will be transferred to Port Shepstone's Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations unit.
The teenager will be appearing at the Ixopo Magistrate's Court soon.
Earlier on Tuesday, according to the provincial Department of Education, the pupil from Mnyamana Primary School in Bulwer, in the Harry Gwala district, arrived at school without her mask and was turned back at the screening point.
READ | Father arrested for allegedly raping his 20-month-old daughter
The girl ran back home to fetch her mask, as she does not live too far from the school.
When she arrived back at school, she reported that she had been raped. The principal took her to the clinic and the matter was reported to the police, the department said in a statement on Tuesday.
KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu condemned the incident, saying it was a barbaric and painful act.
"As a department, we are giving the learner the socio-psychological support and we condemn this barbaric and painful act by the perpetrator and are working with police to have him apprehended," Mshengu said.
He asked parents to ensure their children are wearing masks when they leave home at all times, not only for compliance at school but for their safety.
