Limpopo – A 51-year-old Capricorn District school principal, Cornelius Sebothoma accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old Grade 12 learner was granted a bail of R3, 000 by the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court today.
The Regional Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mashudu Dzhangi Malabi said the principal’s bail conditions include that he must not interfere with state witnesses and police investigation, not commit a schedule 1 offence, and attend court on all appointed dates until the matter is finalized. Malabi Dzhangi further said that school principal was also warned that failure to appear in court may lead to his bail being cancelled and bail money forfeited to the state.
“It is alleged that on 11 August 2025, the victim, who is a 17-year-old grade 12 learner, was playing with her cellphone during lessons when her Life Orientation teacher took it and gave it to the school principal.
It is alleged that the victim made several attempts to collect her cellphone from the principal’s office but was unsuccessful as the principal was not available.
On 16 August 2025, during the extra-lessons classes, the victim went to the office of the principal to retrieve her cellphone. That’s when the principal sexually assaulted the unsuspecting victim by kissing her.
The victim reported the incident to her mother, who then accompanied her to the Lebowakgomo Police Station on Wednesday, 20 August 2025. The case was referred to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
The accused Sebothoma was immediately arrested and charged with sexual assault. The state did not oppose his bail application since it is a Schedule 1 offence and subject to the conditions imposed,” she said.
“The case was postponed to the 20th of October 2025 for further investigations,” said Malabi Dzhangi.
The Limpopo Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe expressed her concern regarding the incident:
“It is deeply disturbing when those entrusted with the care and education of our children allegedly abuse their positions of authority. Schools should be safe havens for learning, not places where children fear for their safety. We commend the victim for her courage in reporting this incident and assure the community that we will ensure a thorough investigation and that justice takes its course.”
