Girl raped on way to school

POLICE have launched a manhunt for seven boys after a young girl was raped on her way to school.

The incident took place on Thursday morning in GaMphahlele village near Lebowakgomo, in Limpopo.

Lebowakgomo police spokesperson Captain Mamphaswa Seabi said the victim was a Grade 10 pupil at a local high school.

He said the victim was walking alone along a pathway, when a group of youngsters, who were hiding in bushes, attacked her.

Seabi said one of the boys had raped the girl, while the other six had watched. The group fled the scene after they were seen by other pupils walking along the pathway.

Seabi said the girl had told her parents about the ordeal, and a case of rape was opened.

"We have launched a manhunt for the boys and are pleading with the community for anyone with relevant information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to call the police, or inform their nearest police station."

The school is about 5km from the village and children have to walk through bushes and cross a river to get there.

Education department spokesperson Pat Kgomo called on members of the community to assist police to arrest the perpetrators.

Kgomo said the department would dispatch a team of officials to the school to determine whether there was a need for transport for the pupils. He said transport would be provided if the distance they had to walk from the village to school was more than 5km.