SOWETO - Rape-accused teacher Kabelo Temba has denied forcing himself on a Grade 4 pupil.
The teacher has pleaded his innocence in an exclusive interview with eNCA.
He questioned allegations that the incident took place in the school toilet, arguing that the area would have been busy with pupils and staff at the time.
“At that time in the morning it's very busy, and someone could’ve asked, 'Sir, what are you doing here’ or there could’ve been other kids in the toilet,” he alleged.
However, the minor's mother said she believed her daughter's account and wanted the teacher to remain behind bars.
"I want him to rot in jail. I trust whatever my daughter has said is true, even if some people are trying to say it's not true. I'm standing with my daughter 100%."
She also called for greater awareness of sexual abuse and more support for children who experience it.
Temba has since handed himself over to police and has been charged with the rape of the nine-year-old girl.
Temba made his first appearance at the Protea Magistrate's Court on Thursday, following days of community protests demanding his removal from the primary school in Soweto.
He remains in custody until next Thursday's bail application