Boy drug seven schoolmates before leading them to be raped

A boy is accused of drugging seven schoolmates before leading them out of the gates to a man, who allegedly raped them at gunpoint.

The shocking incident in Johannesburg has rocked South Africa where the victims, aged between 10 and 13, were left severely traumatised. The alleged sex attacks shocked even hardened detectives in the crime-ridden country where 76 people are murdered every day and 125 women raped.

South African Police confirmed a 31-year-old man was arrested for rape and the Gauteng Education Department said a 16-year-old pupil has been suspended. Education chief Mr Matome Chiloane described what happened to the pupils from the Khomanani Primary School in Diepkloof, Soweto, on September 1 as “unspeakable”.

Dept spokesman Steve Mabona said: “Preliminary reports indicate the instigating Grade 7 boy learner allegedly stole a bottle of cold drink from a local shop. It is then alleged that the learner drugged the drink and gave it to seven boy learners to consume then took them to an adult who raped them at gunpoint.

“The adult perpetrator has since been arrested after a parent of one of the boys reported it and police are investigating further details about this incident.”

Mr Mabona said the school suspended the Grade 7 boy accused of orchestrating the alleged rapes and said he would face a disciplinary hearing on September 17. Both the Education Department and the South African Police confirmed that the teenager had not been arrested for his part in the crimes.

A police spokesman said: “Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences detectives are investigating a case where allegedly seven boys have been raped.

“The boys are aged between 10 and 13 and were allegedly raped by a 31-year-old man who was arrested on September 6 but has not yet appeared before court.

“After consultation with the National Police Authority he was released from custody pending further investigations in consultation with police forensic social workers. We will not share details of the case.”

Psychosocial experts are helping the seven traumatised schoolboys and the Teddy Bear Clinic, which support sexually abused children, has been brought in to assist them. Education chief Mr Chiloane added: “Such an unspeakable act should never happen to any learner and we sympathise dearly with the affected learners and families.

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“This incident is a reminder of the importance of our collective duty to ensure the safety of children in and outside of school and we are providing our full support.”

Neither the South African Police nor the Education Department would explain why the 16-year-old boy who was not arrested. Nor would they explain at what stage of the school day the seven boys were allegedly drugged with the spiked cold drink, or where the suspended teenager took the victims.

They would only confirm seven boys alleged they were drugged and were subsequently raped in turn by an adult male who had a gun and had threatened to shoot them.