An 11-year-old boy at a primary school in South Africa was allegedly taken by four older pupils and forcibly circumcised during school hours.
The incident reportedly occurred at Sinqobile Primary School in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, when the Grade 5 pupil was allegedly taken into a toilet during break time by four Grade 7 students.
The older pupils are accused of restraining the boy before cutting off his foreskin. They allegedly warned him not to disclose what had happened.
The boy reportedly returned home without telling his mother about the incident. She became concerned after noticing that he was walking differently and later took him to a doctor when he complained of severe pain.
It was during this period that the boy reportedly disclosed the incident and showed his mother his swollen private parts.
“He then showed me his swollen private parts and I rushed him to the doctor and it was then that we learned four pupils had circumcised him.
“He said the other boys pinned him down in the school toilets during break and tied a red ribbon round his penis and cut off his foreskin.
“My son said they were Grade 7 pupils and threatened to beat him up if he dared tell anyone. I have now opened a criminal case,’ she said.
The mother has since filed a criminal complaint over the alleged attack.
Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service, confirmed that specialised police units were investigating the case.
“Our family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit are investigating and no arrests have been made at this stage,” Sibeko stated.
The Gauteng Department of Education said the police investigation would guide any disciplinary or administrative action by the department.
The school’s deputy principal, George Mahlangu, described the alleged incident as disturbing and said children should be able to regard schools as safe spaces.
Police reportedly took the boy back to the school so he could identify the pupils accused of carrying out the attack. His mother has expressed reservations about sending him back to classes.
The incident has also brought renewed attention to concerns surrounding unsafe circumcision practices in parts of South Africa.
The Daily Mail reported that 43 boys died during a recent initiation season, while illegal initiation schools have been associated with severe injuries and fatalities.
Ulwaluko, a traditional initiation ceremony practised by some South African communities, is considered a rite of passage into manhood. Although regulated initiation schools are permitted, authorities continue to face concerns over illegal operations where circumcisions may be performed by unqualified practitioners.
