Two or more minor boys including a five-year-old grade R pupil, were allegedly raped at an initiation school in Alice by two older boys who delivered food for initiates, while five other minors were made to watch.
The incident, which is being investigated by the Alice police’s Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Assault Unit, allegedly took place on December 12 during the summer initiation season.
The matter is also getting close attention from the MEC of the department of social development, Dr Phumza Dyantyi.
The case was reported to the police by the distraught mother of the five-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to the nature of the alleged crime.
She said the boy's brother had witnessed the terrible ordeal.
Shockingly, the mother said that when one of the suspects, aged 14, was confronted about the incident, he revealed that his uncle did the same to him and the uncle had told him that he used to be raped by the victim’s grandfather.
The alleged crime took place at Kwa Khwali Village in Alice’s Sheshegu locality.
The Eastern Cape provincial police would not discuss the details of the case.
Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said: “The case is still under investigation by Alice FCS. No arrests have been made.”
In an e-mail to the Dispatch, Dyantyi said: “It is a total disgust that children have to be on the receiving end of abhorrent acts like this.
“Rape of any kind is an inexcusable deed that must be dealt with accordingly through prosecution.
“It is clear that there is a back-story to this immediate incident – therefore, an extensive investigation must be instituted urgently to determine the chain of sexual abuse.
“The department will definitely play its statutory role in incidences of this nature – by providing counselling where needed.
“But [it will] also monitor to ensure that there is accountability on those alleged to have violated the children.”
Dyantyi said the boys who witnessed the incident would also receive counselling.
“The incident itself poses a serious behavioural challenge to the children – and it requires sustained developmental programmes. The department will further implement parental skills programmes to the parents”, community and schools, she said.
Eastern Cape corporate governance and traditional affairs spokesperson Mamkeli Ngam said: “This is shocking and disappointing – it brings a fresh confusion in the whole issue as far as ulwaluko is concerned.
“We maintain that parents and community members must take centre stage in this rite, that space is sacred, no underage children are supposed to be there. We urge police to do a thorough investigation.”
The Dispatch visited the area and spoke to the weeping mother of one of the victims who said her child was no longer the same.
“He keeps saying mama I can’t focus, I keep thinking about it. What should I do?”
A 10-year old boy is to undergo counselling after an initiate allegedly attempted to molest him at an initiation school in Masimini village in Stutterheim.
The boy’s mother said the initiate had allegedly instructed three boys to take off their pants so that he could prick them with thorns on their buttocks.
He then sent two of the boys on errands, leaving the alleged victim alone with him.
The initiate then allegedly asked the boy to bend over and exposed his penis to the boy, who managed to escape.
Police spokesperson Captain Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed the incident, and said no case was opened after the two families, who were related, had negotiated.
The boy would receive counselling.
The initiate’s father said his son had "not done anything" and would not comment on whether any recourse was necessary for his son's alleged actions...