3 boys in Bethlehem court over viral video involving minor

Three young boys have appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court after being arrested in Bohlokong, Bethlehem, following the circulation of a disturbing video showing the humiliation of a 13-year-old boy.

Bloemfontein Courant reports that according to Free State police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring, the incident took place in October 2023.

The victim had been sent by his mother to a nearby kraal to collect cow dung for making fire. On his way back, he stopped at a nearby river to wash his feet. “That’s when he was confronted by four older boys who stripped him naked and took a video of him bare naked. The matter wasn’t reported to his mother until Friday, when the video was shown in local social media and brought to the attention of his mother by community members,” Mophiring explains.

The matter only came to light when the video began circulating on local social media platforms, prompting community members to alert the boy’s mother after recognising him in the footage.

Police opened a case relating to the filming and publication of explicit material involving a minor, as well as assault. Authorities are investigating those responsible for creating, sharing or contributing to the video.

Three boys, aged 16, 18 and 19, were subsequently arrested and appeared in court on Friday.

The 16-year-old was released into the care of a parent or guardian, while the two older accused were granted bail. They are expected to return to court as the case continues.

Police have cautioned the public on the filming, production and publication of videos or photographs involving minors, noting that such actions are not allowed under the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013.

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