The DA in the Western Cape is to look into the prevalence of school initiation abuses after the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old former Edgemead High School boy at a rugby camp by fellow pupils.
The school camp was held at the Stywelyne camp site in Velddrif on the West Coast in March.
The Cape Argus reported on Thursday that the boy was apparently given alcohol and, while unconscious, had his eyebrows and head shaven and was later allegedly molested with a broomstick by older boys. The incident was apparently part of an “initiation”.
DA MPL Cathy Labuschagne said she was shocked and horrified. “This must be strongly condemned. It’s unacceptable that any practice which deprives another person of human dignity can be allowed.”
She said Education MEC Donald Grant would investigate the matter and the standing committee on education in the legislature would look at the prevalence of initiation abuses.
Cape Argus