A 13-year-old Grade 7 girl from a primary school in the eThekwini Region of KwaZulu-Natal was removed from her parents’ custody on Monday, 28 September, pending an investigation into allegations of drug dealing and sexual exploitation.
The child was captured on the bodycam of a female reaction officer who responded to the school following concerns about suspicious activity.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) dispatched the officer after school staff reportedly observed the learner receiving a suspicious parcel from unknown men near the school fence.
RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram said: “In accordance with the Rusa bodycam Policy, the Officer activated her recording device while attending to the incident. During the interaction, the learner allegedly disclosed that she had been involved in the distribution of Mandrax, cocaine and rock. She further allegedly stated that she had been providing sexual services at local establishments and hotels. She then removed drugs from both her socks and handed it over.”
The learner also allegedly identified other people whom she claimed were involved, including another girl reportedly aged 11 from the same school.
Reaction officers subsequently consulted with a specialised unit and handed over the bodycam footage, which initiated a further investigation into the allegations.
On Monday, 28 September, officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD) and a specialised unit from the South African Police Service (SAPS) removed the 13-year-old from her parents’ custody. She was transported to a medical facility for examination before being taken to a place of safety.
Balram said: “The child’s grandmother who initially answered the door allegedly informed authorities that the child was merely experimenting and expressed the view that the school had blown the incident out of proportion. She added that this was normal teenage behaviour.”
Communications officer at Verulam SAPS, Constable Bongiwe Ngcobo, confirmed the incident. She said: “I was informed by the Thuthuzela Care Centre that the child was brought to them by social workers for medical examination.”
Social Work and General Manager at the Tongaat Child and Family Welfare Society, Jo Moodley, said: “The Tongaat Child and Family Welfare Society notes with grave concern the incident involving two girls, aged 13 and 11, found in circumstances involving alleged drug exposure and sexual exploitation in Verulam. We commend the community and law enforcement for acting swiftly. However, our priority is their safety, dignity and wellbeing of those children affected.”
Moodley reminded that Children are victims, not offenders. Children found in such environments need therapeutic care, not judgement. She said: “Due process is underway – The matter has been referred to the relevant departments for appropriate intervention.
Confidentiality must be respected. We appeal to the public not to share any identifying information, photos or addresses of the children. This protects them from further trauma and is required by law. This is a serious community problem – We are seeing more children being targeted and controlled by adults through drugs. Poverty, lack of supervision and drug dens in residential areas are putting our children at risk.”
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the allegations, including the possible involvement of other people and minors, are ongoing.
Moodley said: “We need to take a stronger stance to protect our children and stop the decay of our communities. We urge parents, schools and leaders in Tongaat and Verulam to report any suspected child abuse or exploitation immediately. Let us stand together – if you see something, say something. Our community, our concern.
