Johannesburg – The Gauteng Education Department revealed that it will not be taking any sides in the case where three 17-year-old boys allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl.
Early reports suggested that three boys had gang raped a 15-year-old girl at a party in Midrand, Johannesburg. The matter was initially reported to police on Monday and the boys were arrested on Wednesday.
“The matter was reported to the police on Monday. The family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit attended to the victim. The police visited known addresses in efforts to trace the perpetrators to no avail,” said police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo.
#Newzroom‘s @sholwana_z speaks to Gauteng Department of Basic Education Spokesperson Steve Mabona about interventions in rape cases involving minors.
Watch: https://t.co/bEGstGns6F pic.twitter.com/RNXqmfJBBD
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 21, 2023
However, it was revealed that the State withdrew charges against one of the boys during their first appearance in the Randburg Magistrates Court. The Gauteng Education Department has cautioned the public to treat this case with care, as the victim and her two alleged rapists are all minors, EWN reported.
Department spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said all of them have been signed up to receive psycho-social assistance, and added that he was concerned as all the identities of the victims have been revealed to the public.
“We will always support our children until the court decides otherwise. You’re innocent until proven otherwise. So the support will not be that of the victim only,” he said.
The two suspects charged with rape will remain in custody until their second court appearance next week.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
