The family of a girl who was allegedly gang raped by three fellow learners at school demand R30 million in damages from the KwaZulu Natal Department of Education.

BROKEN AND HURT

The 18-year-old teenager was allegedly gang raped at the school premises last year while doing grade 12 at the Sibongumusa High School in KwaSwayimane outside Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu Natal. In court papers, the family says the rape incident left the girl traumatised and broken. 

ALLEGED RAPISTS ARREST

Soon after the incident, the suspects aged 16, 17 and 21 were arrested and appeared at the New Hanover Magistrate Court. The underage suspects were released into their parent's custody the custody while the 21-year old was granted bail.

THE ORDEAL

According to reports, the grandfather who could not be named told a journalist that the incident left their family broken and deeply hurt. The grandfather was quoted saying: "She told us that while she was at school, she was grabbed by three male learners and raped. Her mother was called to the school and they took the child to the hospital and reported the matter to the police. I don't know what got into these children because they are young, two of them are in grade 12 while one is in grade 8,' the grandfather said.

TRAUMATISED

The grandfather went on to say the granddaughter was traumatised and that her two siblings who were having a difficult time at school due to comments made about the incident. "She can't even go to the shop or step outside the house. She is always standing at the door and sometimes opens her books but you can see that she is dying inside. They took her childhood and crushed her. "She is traumatised and it's painful to see your child in such a manner. I can't even sleep at night. I don't want to even imagine how she is feeling. These boys didn't respect my father's home and it's painful because they live close by,' the grandfather was quoted.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RESPOND

Speaking to ZiMoja, the KZN MEC for Education Mbali Frazer confirmed knowing about the matter but declined to comment further.

"This is a legal matter. We are pleading with you to allow law to take its course. This is why even our spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi never responded to your emails. The matter is in court and let's allow the process,' she said.

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