Teaching and learning were interrupted at the Majika Primary School in KaMajika Village today, February 3, amid allegations of gangrapes of boys.

A concerned parent said a 14-year-old boy was caught raping another younger boy in the school’s toilets. Several angered parents went to the school to shut it down and demand an explanation as to what it was doing about the situation. “Two Grade Three boys aged between nine and 11 went to the toilet and found the older boy in the act of raping a boy aged 10. The older boy then accused the two of spying on him and forced them into having sex with the victim as well, as a kind of punishment,” said the parent.

After the matter was reported to the school principal, the mother of the 14-year-old boy was called to a meeting with the school management. “The boy’s mother said her son was doing exactly what had been done to him in the past. She said he was having his revenge after he himself had been raped a few years ago,” a teacher who opted to remain anonymous said.

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Meanwhile, another concerned parent said the boy was sick and needed help. “This boy needs help if indeed he was a victim of rape himself. He can’t go around raping other boys saying it was out of revenge. That’s utter nonsense,” they said.

A meeting was held at the school today between the parents, teachers and the school governing body. It was announced that the 14-year-old boy had since been transferred to another school.

The provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, confirmed that rape charges had been opened against the suspect at the Hazyview Police Station. “We can confirm that we are investigating the rape charges against a minor. We have engaged the services of a probation officer, since the suspect is a minor,” said Ndubane.

The provincial education spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, said the department strongly condemned what had happened. “We request parents, teachers and the school governing bodies to instil discipline in our learners. Pupils must be at school to learn and in the process respect one another. Such behaviour cannot be allowed,” said Sambo.

He added that the department was satisfied that the police had acted swiftly on the matter and that the investigations were ongoing.