11-Year-Old South African Boy Allegedly Forcibly Circumcised by Schoolmates
An 11-year-old boy in South Africa is being treated for a condition that he claims was caused when he was forced to be circumcised by four older pupils at his primary school in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria.
At Sinqobile Primary School, the Grade 5 pupil was allegedly taken to a school toilet during break time and his foreskin was allegedly removed by four Grade 7 pupils who allegedly held him down. The pupils are also charged with threatening him with more violence if he told anyone about the incident.
The child was reportedly taken home without immediately disclosing what had occurred. Later his mother noticed that he was walking abnormally and was complaining of great pain.
She brought him to a doctor and the alleged injuries were diagnosed. The mother then complained to the police and said she was worried about her son’s safety and if he could return to school.
The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit is investigating the case as an assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, said South African Police Service spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko. As of the report, no arrests were made.
The Gauteng department of education also stated that the matter was being investigated by the police and that the results of the investigation will inform any action taken by the department.
The school’s deputy principal said it was a disturbing incident and that schools should be safe places for children to learn, free from violence and harm.
