Mossel Bay Advertiser
A 42-year-old teacher from Park Primary School in Mossel Bay was released on R15 000 bail on Monday under strict conditions.
The teacher is facing 19 charges including rape, sexual assault and sexual grooming.
The man was arrested at school on 22 September and was in custody at the George prison until his bail was granted.
The accused, whose identity is known to Algoa FM News, may not be named to protect his victims.
The children were in his Grade 7 class at the time when the alleged offences took place between 2019 and 2020.
The learners are now in high school.
The magistrate said during her bail judgement that the suspect has no previous convictions and is also not in possession of a passport.
He last had contact with one of the victims in 2021, when they allegedly agreed to stop communicating
She said although the state had argued that the suspect was a potential suicide risk, the court could not find that he would endanger the safety of the public or any person for the duration of his trial.
Since the teacher has a fixed address the court could not find that he would avoid his trial.
He is placed under house arrest and may only leave his home on certain days to do shopping and to attend church on Sundays.
He may also not make any contact with any of the witnesses or the victims.
The case was postponed to the 31st of January 2024.
