Warning: This article contains details about rape that may be triggering
The Worcester Regional Court has sentenced former teacher Jeremy Claasen to life imprisonment following his conviction for the rape of a Grade 8 learner, back in 2020.
The 38-year-old was the teenager’s life orientation teacher at the time.
According to prosecutors, Claasen started chatting with her on social media when she joined the school in Grade 7, and built up a relationship of trust with her.
On 7 February 2020, the teen went to his classroom to charge her phone. Claasen closed the classroom door and instructed her to sit on a bench. He made advances towards her, but despite her resistance, he raped her in the classroom.
Three days later, she confided in a friend, who then told one of the teachers at the school. The other teacher reported it to the principal, who then contacted the police, after which Claasen was arrested.
During the trial, the State presented the evidence of the victim through means of a closed-circuit television system with the assistance of an intermediary in a closed court session to negate any secondary trauma of testifying in the presence of the accused.
The State also led the evidence of the victim’s friend as the first report, as well as a medico-legal examination conducted by a doctor, which confirmed evidence of sexual penetration.
Claasen provided an alibi and told the court that he could not have perpetrated the offence as he was in court paying a traffic fine. But the court found his alibi improbable and false beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted him on the charge of rape.
In aggravation of sentence, lead prosecutor Cornelius Prinsloo argued that Claasen had manipulated his position of authority and trust and violated a learner in an environment where she was supposed to feel safe.
The court agreed with the prosecution that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Nicolette Bell, praised the work of the justice team and support services, calling the crime a betrayal of a teacher’s role
Action Society has welcomed the life sentence. Spokesperson Kaylynn Palm says it is an important step toward justice for the victim.
