Matric pair expelled over attack
A MUSLIM family was forced to conduct its religious slaughtering ceremony under police guard on Monday after some neighbours tried to forcibly stop them from observing the Eid-ulAdha religious holiday.
Ayman Fareed, a resident of Saddlebrook Estate in Midrand, described the “violent” attempt to block the slaughter of sheep as “racist and anti-Islam”.
There are two Muslim families living at the upmarket estate in Kyalami.
Fareed’s trouble started around 6.20am when the vehicles transporting the animals for the feast reached the estate. Minutes later he said 10 to 15 cars created a blockade at the entrance.
He said that the estate management then suggested they use another gate.
“My wife was driving in when a bakkie blocked her off. We were shut off from our home at both gates.”
She resorted to going through the boom gate. As she entered a car rammed into her. The bakkie’s driver came out wielding an army knife and slashed the tyres of the trailer transporting the animals.
Fareed said the slaughtering took place under a high police presence.
The estate’s board of directors confirmed that Fareed was granted permission and condemned the actions of the residents. “Representatives of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals visited the resident’s premises and advised that they were suitable for the ceremony,” the board told The Star yesterday.
Ceri von Ludwig, a resident who has come under fire over the incident, said homeowners reacted with anger because the Muslim family had not complied with a council by-law.
“If the residents find out something which is… distasteful to them from an animal welfare perspective is taking place, surely they have every right to ascertain whether there has been compliance with the law.” TWO Gauteng matric pupils accused of assaulting and raping a Grade 9 girl have been expelled from the school.
Cautious optimism greeted Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi’s visit yesterday to Thuto Lesedi Secondary School in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, where he acknowledged that the school was “infested with drugs” and violence.
The revelations followed harrowing allegations that on July 25, the 16-year-old schoolgirl, *Phindulo, was forcefully dragged to the boys’ toilets, where her head was smashed against the wall, with one accused penetrating her vagina with his fingers.
Another accused, aged 23, allegedly stood guard at the toilet door while the assault took place.
However, according to highlyplaced sources, the matric pupils were found guilty of attempted rape by the school during a hearing that was finalised yesterday.
“I think the hearing found that, because the learner was penetrated with fingers, it would be ruled as attempted rape.
“One was found guilty of attempted rape while the other was found to have been an accomplice to the rape. Both were found guilty of misleading the school and school governing body disciplinary hearing by lying during this process,” said a source, who asked to remain anonymous. “But the learners have been expelled and will return only to write their exams.”
Phindulo’s family, teachers and community were cautiously optimistic about Lesufi’s visit. They expressed their gratitude for the counselling the girl would receive.
But one teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, warned that a full clean-up campaign was needed to restore the school to what the teacher called “its former glory”.
“To be honest, I fear for my life. There are boys at this school who are part of gangs and bring dangerous weapons on our premises. Just last week, another boy was found with an Okapi knife in his bag. Then people say we don’t discipline these kids, but how can you discipline someone who could stab you to death?”
Lesufi acknowledged that Thuto Lesedi had a slew of problems, including pupils who sold drugs on the premises. * Not her real name.