SEX ROMP SCANDAL Girl charged with perjury after ‘rape’
A15-YEAR-OLD Phoenix schoolgirl who allegedly falsely told her mother and the police she was robbed and raped, has been charged with perjury and defeating the ends of justice.
The teenager claimed she was attacked by two masked men, brandishing a knife and a firearm, when she arrived home from school on Monday afternoon.
But police investigations found that the girl had lied and had bunked school and indulged in a sex party with her classmate and his friend.
Police alleged that the girl then allowed the boys to take items from her house worth thousands of rand, including a Playstation.
The boys, both aged 17, were charged with theft and the teenager who had sex with the girl might face a charge of statutory rape.
All three appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and were released into their parents’ custody.
Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said the girl was caught out after she made conflicting statements under oath.
If found guilty of perjury and defeating the ends of justice, she could go to jail, said police spokesman LieutenantColonel Vincent Mdunge.
A police investigator, who did not want to be named, said the girl had been crying when her mother arrived from work and told her mother that one of the armed men had taken her into her room and raped her while the other stole their household goods.
“Her mother phoned Phoenix SAPS and a case of robbery and rape was opened,” said the investigator.
But swift investigative action from Phoenix’s Trio Crime Unit early the next morning led to the arrest of the 17-year-olds.
The investigator said the boys claimed they were invited to the house party and the girl was the mastermind behind the theft.
It is believed the boys tried to sell the goods at a local shopping centre to buy alcohol.
Educational psychologist Anand Ramphal said such acts pointed to a self-esteem problem. “When children engage in this sort of behaviour, it seems like they are in an unreal world.
“Usually, children with low self-esteem indulge in such behaviour. It usually results in them indulging in all sorts of extreme activities, even if it means putting their bodies on the line,” said Ramphal.
Aroona Chetty, director of Phoenix Child Welfare, said it was not the first time such an incident involving children had occurred.
“Society’s morals, ethics and values have declined steadily. Parents are no longer in control,” said Chetty.
“Indian people used to live communally with extended family, which meant there was usually adult supervision for children.
“With that no longer in place and parents absorbed with everything but their children, children are left to their own devices.
“This leads to a situation where kids are becoming heads of household, and because they are not equipped for the job the results are catastrophic in some instances,” said Chetty.
Linda Naidoo of Childline said although parents led stressful lives, it was their duty to ensure the wellbeing and safety of their children.
“Children will always be parents’ responsibility. They should engage schools all the time to see how their children are doing and find out about the friends they have,” said Naidoo.
While Naicker said such incidents were not common, he urged parents to take responsibility for the actions of their children and monitor their activities so that they were aware of their children’s whereabouts at all times.
“Parents should also ensure their children do not get involved in the wrong crowds and indulge in immoral conduct.
“Schools should also see to it that pupils conduct themselves in accordance with the school disciplinary code. If any pupil engages in criminal conduct, the matter must be reported to the police for investigation,” said Naicker.