The three 14-year-old boys appeared at the Mangaung One-Stop Child Justice Centre this morning on a charge of the rape of a 13-year-old girl on school premises on 7 June.

National Prosecution Authority spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, says the case has been postponed in order to allow the investigating officer to look into allegations of death threats towards the boys.

“Apparently there were threats that were posed to the learners. Our request as the NPA was that those threats must be investigated so that when we make a decision as to whether or not we release them to their parents, their safety is not at risk,” he said.

Shuping says their next appearance will be a bail application and they will remain in juvenile detention until then.

A video showing two boys fondling the girl against her will circulated on social media last week.

The MEC of Education in the Free State, Tate Makgoe, said he was shocked and disgusted by the boys’ behaviour in a statement issued. Makgoe said the boys were suspended in the statement.

OFM News