THE mother of a seven-year-old girl yesterday described her pain on learning her daughter had been sexually assaulted by her classmates.

The mother met the school principal, the head of department and education department officials for the first time since the alleged incident happened two weeks ago.

The incident happened in a classroom at a school in Soshanguve, Pretoria, on September 22.

Sowetan learnt that the Tshwane North education officials chastised the principal and the HOD for not reporting the incident as soon as they had been made aware of it.

The mother reported the incident to the school on September 26.

The district office only became aware of the incident yesterday, following a Sowetan enquiry to Gauteng education department spokesman Charles Phahlane.

The mother cried when she told the officials how her daughter recounted to the police the events that saw her pinned to the floor and allegedly fondled by four boys - aged between seven and eight.

The incident took place while the teacher was out of the classroom.

At the meeting, the school apologised for not reporting the matter immediately, saying they were awaiting the medical report which would indicate what actually took place on the day.

The mother said she discovered what had happened to her daughter while giving her a bath on September 25.

"She told me she felt pain when I bathed her genital area. I asked why it was painful and then she told me," the mother said.

"She said four boys held her down, lifted her tunic and continued to fondle her."

It is not clear whether there was actual penetration but results of a medical inspection, conducted last week, revealed that the girl had sustained injuries to her vagina.

According to the medical report, which Sowetan has seen, there were indications that her vagina had been "tampered with".

The child's grandfather, who first brought the matter to Sowetan's attention, was angry that teachers did not immediately notify the education department.

He also criticised the school for not arranging counselling.

He said the family were even considering a lawsuit.

Warrant Officer Lolo Mangena of the Rietgat police confirmed that a case had been opened and that the matter was referred to the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

However, Mangena poured cold water on any hopes of seeing the boys face prosecution.

Teddy Bear Clinic spokeswoman Dr Shaheda Omar said the boys' ages meant they would not be prosecuted. "Children under 10 lack criminal capacity, meaning they are not able to distinguish between right and wrong," she said.

"It is very important to determine whether this sort of behaviour has occurred before, after which considerations for serious intervention should be made."

Omar said both the parents and pupils should be provided with counselling to help them manage the situation.

National Prosecution Authority spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said the matter "will be properly considered in light of the sensitivity of the allegations".

Phahlane confirmed that the department would investigate the allegations.

"Action will be taken on the basis of whatever wrongdoing was found to have been done by the school and other parties," he said.