West Rand, Gauteng - Police have been informed about allegations that a 13-year-old girl was raped by seven boys, the Gauteng education department said on Friday.
“As a department, we have alerted the police who went to the school on the West Rand earlier in the week,” spokesman Charles Phahlane said.
“The child protection unit also went to the school and will look into the allegations. After their investigations, a decision will be taken on what to do next.”
According to the Sowetan newspaper, the girl was raped on August 20, allegedly by seven boys, aged between 11 and 14, while her seven-year-old sister watched.
The sisters were reportedly on their way to visit a relative after school when one of the boys invited them to a house party. They told the older sister to undress and took turns raping her.
The 13-year-old told a teacher three days later and the principal called an emergency meeting on August 24, the newspaper reported.
The boys apologised and the meeting was adjourned.
Phahlane said the department asked Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre director Lisa Vetten to look into the matter and to advise the department on what else it could do to help the school. - Sapa