Gang rape accused boy sent for assessment

2012-05-17 12:36

Johannesburg - The 13-year-old boy accused of participating in the gang rape of a Soweto teenage girl has been sent for psychiatric assessment, the National Prosecuting Authority said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said this would attempt to determine his criminal capacity.

"Remember minors between the ages of 7 and 14 are presumed to be criminally incapable."

He said all seven of the accused would appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court again on June 20.

Four boys and three men, who allegedly matched the descriptions of rapists shown in a cellphone video of the attack, were arrested in Dobsonville, Soweto on April 17. The video spread via the internet on April 18.

The seven face several counts of rape, sexual assault, engaging the sexual services of a minor for reward, using a minor to create child pornography, committing a sexual act in the presence of a minor, and committing a sexual act in the presence of an adult.

The girl went missing on March 21 and was found at a 37-year-old man's house in Soweto during a search launched after police became aware of the rape video.

The charges against the man were provisionally withdrawn by the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on May 4.

No reasons were given for the withdrawal. He had been accused of holding her against her will at his house in Braamfischerville, Soweto.

- SAPA