NEWLY appointed Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana yesterday lashed out at Jules High School teachers and police for failing to act decisively after a 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped at the school on Thursday.
"Teachers did not play their role in protecting our children. The girl has been seriously brutalised. This raises concerns about the abuse of drugs by our children at schools," Xingwana said.
Three boys allegedly spiked drinks they gave to two girls and then gang-raped one of them on the school grounds in Jeppestown. Two of the boys were arrested yesterday morning.
The boys allegedly filmed the incident with their cellphones while other pupils cheered them on. The video clip was circulated at the school.
Xingwana blamed the police for not acting "promptly in arresting the perpetrators".
Also angry was Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane.
"The sexual and physical abuse of young people, and in particular children, should not be tolerated in our society, let alone in our schools," he said yesterday.
Chabane welcomed the "swift" action taken by the Gauteng departments of education and community safety.
Yesterday, Xingwana visited the family of the girl, who cannot be named to protect her identity, in Soweto.
"We will work with the department of education and the police to ensure that justice is done. Police have to be trained in dealing with victims of abuse. Teachers will also have to be trained on how to handle victims."
Earlier, Gauteng education MEC Barbara Creecy said she was pleased at the arrest of the two schoolboys.
She said the department had hired an external independent investigator to investigate and disciplinary action may be taken.
"We have agreed with the school to postpone examinations for the victims."
She said "unfounded allegations blaming the victim are inappropriate and irresponsible".
Both Xingwana and Creecy said the girls and their families would be offered counselling and any other help they needed.
Ministers angry over attack
NEWLY appointed Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana yesterday lashed out at Jules High School teachers and police for failing to act decisively after a 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped at the school on Thursday.
"Teachers did not play their role in protecting our children. The girl has been seriously brutalised. This raises concerns about the abuse of drugs by our children at schools," Xingwana said.
Three boys allegedly spiked drinks they gave to two girls and then gang-raped one of them on the school grounds in Jeppestown. Two of the boys were arrested yesterday morning.
The boys allegedly filmed the incident with their cellphones while other pupils cheered them on. The video clip was circulated at the school.
Xingwana blamed the police for not acting "promptly in arresting the perpetrators".
Also angry was Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane.
"The sexual and physical abuse of young people, and in particular children, should not be tolerated in our society, let alone in our schools," he said yesterday.
Chabane welcomed the "swift" action taken by the Gauteng departments of education and community safety.
Yesterday, Xingwana visited the family of the girl, who cannot be named to protect her identity, in Soweto.
"We will work with the department of education and the police to ensure that justice is done. Police have to be trained in dealing with victims of abuse. Teachers will also have to be trained on how to handle victims."
Earlier, Gauteng education MEC Barbara Creecy said she was pleased at the arrest of the two schoolboys.
She said the department had hired an external independent investigator to investigate and disciplinary action may be taken.
"We have agreed with the school to postpone examinations for the victims."
She said "unfounded allegations blaming the victim are inappropriate and irresponsible".
Both Xingwana and Creecy said the girls and their families would be offered counselling and any other help they needed.
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