Humansdorp school pupils investigated for sexual assault

At least six pupils at a Humansdorp school are under police investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting classmates.

The provincial education department said the alleged incidents took place on school premises on February 12.

The pupils are now undergoing internal disciplinary processes.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said an investigation into the allegations had been initiated yesterday.

“The Humansdorp family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit has opened an inquiry relating to the allegations,” Naidu said.

“There is more than one victim aged between 13 and 14.

“There are between five to six suspects.

“The alleged incidents occurred sometime last week, but were reported to the school on Monday.

“Police opened the inquiry today [yesterday]. The investigation only started today [yesterday].

“The allegations are sexual assault,” Naidu said, adding that the complainants had not yet been interviewed.

Eastern Cape education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the school’s principal and the governing body were aware of the allegations.

“It is alleged to have happened on February 12,” Mtima said.

“It was reported and parents were informed ... six boys are currently [undergoing an] internal investigation.”

Mtima said the incidents had occurred separately.

He said the school had also completed and submitted a rapid incident report.

Contacted for comment, the principal said he was not mandated to speak to the media.

“Everything was handed over to the education department, please speak to them,” the principal said.

Due to the early stages of the investigation, a decision was made not to name the school in question.

A parent of one of the accused boys, meanwhile, maintained that her son had done nothing wrong.

“He was roped into this whole mess innocently,” she said.

“We are trying our best to get to the bottom of everything.

“We have asked him about it, he denied it, and we believe him.”

AfriForum’s head of education, Alana Bailey, said the law should take its course.

“I applaud the school for promptly addressing the issue. It is now essential for the legal process to unfold,” she said.

‘It was reported and parents were informed ... six boys are currently [undergoing an] internal investigation’