The next week is the longest in Kefentše’s life. She tries to study for the upcoming exams, but her concentration often wanders, her mind replaying unwelcome memories of the rape. She hardly speaks to her mother – there’s nothing to say. It seems like there is a huge distance between them, as if they are strangers. Ra-Maleka is away from home looking for work, only returning at weekends.

The only light in her life is Tshereletšo. He visits every day and fills her in on gossip from school and brings messages of support from Ms Seanego. Whenever they get the chance, they slip away to their broken-down rondavel where they can lie in each other’s arms and talk openly.

Tshereletšo has been doing some investigating of his own; he has found out where the girl Maki is living. It’s in a mekhukhu area near town, with her baby, and she’s estranged from her family. Kefe has also been thinking about how to convince Posh to testify, but there’s no point in following up either girl unless the Department is going to continue with the investigation.

Some of Kefentše’s girlfriends visit, and want to know why she hasn’t been at school. She tells them that she’s having period problems and they seem to accept this excuse, quickly moving onto more interesting topics – like quizzing her about her relationship with Tshereletšo.

Friday morning a week later she hears urgent hooting. Ms Seanego is grinning from ear to ear. “The investigators are coming to the school this afternoon, and they want to see us again. I’m sure they wouldn’t come all this way for nothing. If the case had been dropped, they would just phone.”

When Kefentše arrives at school at two o’clock, the students have already gone home or are playing sport. No-one pays her any attention, unaware that there’s any connection between her and the people from the Department.

She finds Ms Seanego waiting outside the Principal’s office. She’s anxious, and immediately infects Kefentše with the same emotion. “Listen!” she says. They can hear snatches of conversation, then Mr Pootona’s roaring voice:

“This is ridiculous! The whole community will know. It will ruin my reputation!” And later, “You’ll be sorry for this, all of you! Mark my words.”

They both jump with fright as the door opens violently and Mr Pootona storms out. Seeing them he stops, and shaking his fist shouts, “You’ll pay for this!” spit flying from his lips.

Inside the office the two investigators apologise for Mr Pootona’s outburst. They explain that they had just handed him a Charge Sheet laying out the allegations against him, and suspending him until the outcome of a disciplinary hearing is known.

Investigator 1: So, how have you been, Kefentše?

Kefe: Up and down … but OK. The waiting was hard. I’m glad it’s over.

Investigator 2: It’s not over yet, I’m afraid. The hardest part is still to come: the hearing. Do you know about court cases? Have you seen them on TV?

Kefe: Not really, Mam, only a little.

Investigator 1: OK, no problem. A hearing is a disciplinary procedure where the Department of Education charges one of its employees with misconduct. They listen to the evidence from the accused person and the witnesses and then decide what to do. So the Department is the ‘complainant’ and the accused is the ‘defendant’. You, as the victim of the misconduct, are a ‘witness’ in the case. Do you understand?

Kefe: I think so – it’s not me against Mr Pootona, but the Department against Mr Pootona.

Investigator 2: Yes, Kefentše, and as the main witness you will be asked to testify. You can have someone with you to support you: your parents, a priest, a teacher, anyone you want. We can also appoint a social worker to help you. And if you don’t want to talk in front of the defendant, we will put up a screen so that you can’t see him.

Kefe: No, it’s OK, I can testify. I just want Ms Seanego with me.

Investigator 1: Ms Seanego must be there anyway. As the person who made the report, she is also a witness.

Kefe: So … Mr Pootona will be there, in the same room?

Investigator 1: Yes, Kefentše. It’s important that he hears all the accusations and all the evidence against him. He also has someone helping him, usually from his teacher union. And they can also call witnesses to back up their response to the accusations. Do you understand, so far?

Kefe: Yes, but who can he call as witnesses?

Investigator 2: We don’t know. But this is going to be a difficult case. As you have seen, Mr Pootona is claiming that he is innocent, and that you are lying.

Kefe: But you said you believed me!

Investigator 1: Kefentše, we do believe you, and we’re here to help you. We’re just telling you how things are. With your, Mr Sebego’s, and Tshereletšo’s testimony, we have a reasonably strong case that Mr Pootona had a sexual relationship with a learner. And this in itself is serious misconduct. But when it comes to proving that he abused his power, that he molested you, and that he raped you – we only have your word against his.

Kefe: But…

Investigator 2: I’m sorry, Kefentše. But he’s going to deny everything. Then when he realises that there is evidence, he may confess to having a relationship. But he will say that you seduced him to get money, or that you were in love with him.

Kefe: That’s a lie!

Investigator 1: Kefentše, you must understand that Mr Pootona’s career is on the line; his reputation; his whole life is at risk! That sort of pressure can make a person lie, and lie very convincingly. There is only one way to fight this, and that is to make our charges against Mr Pootona as strong as possible. Do you understand?

Kefe: Yes. We need other witnesses.

Investigator 2: Exactly, Kefe. Have you spoken to the other girls?

Kefe: No, I was waiting to hear if the investigation will go ahead.

Investigator 1: And now, will you speak to them?

Kefe: Yes, but I don’t know if they’ll agree to testify.

Investigator 1: All you have to do is give us their names and we will contact them.

Kefe: I can’t do that. I must speak to them first.

Investigator 1: OK, but you must do it quickly. The hearing is in three weeks.

***

Tell us: Who would you choose to encourage you and give you support if you had to testify in a difficult hearing? Parents? A religious leader? A friend? A teacher?