A high school pupil who was arrested on Thursday last week in connection with the rape of a girl (7) is due back in court on November 6 for the Mtubatuba Regional Court to decide on how the matter will proceed.

The suspect, a Grade 9 boy from oPhondweni in Mtubatuba, made his first appearance at KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court following his arrest.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday last week, has been strongly condemned by MtubatubaCouncil Speaker Sbongile Shezi.

According to unofficial reports, the suspect had been turned away from Phiwamandla High School, where he attends, because he was not in full uniform.

Following this, it is reported that he came across the seven-year-old girl heading to Bethangwe Primary School.

The suspect is alleged to have grabbed the young girl, dragged her into a nearby bush where he repeatedly raped her, eventually releasing her in the afternoon.

The KZN Department of Education (DoE) strongly condemned the matter.

“Really, we don’t know what has happened to our society and her children. In a society where there are a lot of social ills, her children turn to behave like it,” said DoE spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi.