Boy's rape sparks outcry

2003-07-02 14:13

Cape Town - The repeated rape of a 15-year-old boy by an adult in a Mpumalanga police station holding cell has provoked an outcry from opposition parties, including a demand for a proper investigation of the incident.

According to reports, the boy - who is facing charges of theft of goods totalling R500 - may have contracted Aids after he was sexually abused by an inmate at the Amsterdam police cells.

This is despite a local magistrate's ordering, on several occasions, that the youth be detained at a place of safety and not in the overcrowded cells.

The orders were apparently ignored because police did not have a vehicle to transport him.

The matter has come before the Pretoria High Court, which has ordered the boy's removal to a place of safety.

In a statement before his removal, the 15-year-old told the court: "It is becoming unbearable; I don't know how long I can take this."

"One of the older men pulled my pants off during the night when we were asleep, and he raped me. I told the police, but they did nothing. I was then raped a few more times."

The Democratic Alliance on Wednesday called for an investigation "at the highest level" by the police into the incident.

"I am today asking Commissioner Jackie Selebi to appoint an inquiry...into the incident, and to report without delay to the safety and security portfolio committee of the National Assembly," DA safety and security spokesperson Douglas Gibson said in a statement.

"It must be explained why holding cells for four awaiting-trial prisoners, with beds for four persons, had to be used by eleven prisoners, including a juvenile.

"How often does this happen at Amsterdam, and what arrangements should or can be made for the overflow, as well as for juveniles? Was any police official culpable?" he asked.

The other adult awaiting-trial prisoners had done nothing to help the boy, and should be prosecuted as accessories.

"They are just as guilty as the rapist," Gibson said.

In its reaction, the New National Party said the police, as well as prison authorities, were opening themselves to court action if they continued to lock up minors in the same cells as adults.

"This is not only a problem with police holding cells, but in South African prisons, children are also being detained in the same cells as adults," NNP correctional services spokesperson Johann Durand said in a statement.

"The NNP urges (the departments of safety and security and correctional services) to urgently address this problem if they don't want to make themselves liable to pay thousands of rands to children who are victimised or assaulted by adults while in custody."

South Africa's prisons and police cells were overcrowded, and incidents such as this one were not uncommon.

"Therefore it is time for government to take immediate action to see that prisons become a place where people can be rehabilitated, and not a breeding ground for even worse criminals," he said.

- SAPA