8 Boys Were Allegedly Drugged by a Classmate and Then Sexually Assaulted by an 'Adult Perpetrator' at 'Gunpoint' By Toria Sheffield

Eight boys were allegedly sexually assaulted after a school classmate drugged them and led them to their adult attacker.

The alleged incident occurred on Monday, Sept. 1, at the Khomani Primary School in Diepkloof, Soweto, a township in Johannesburg, South Africa, according to a news release issued by the Gauteng Department of Education.

The boys, all seventh graders, were allegedly drugged by a fellow seventh-grade student after he stole a “cold drink” from a local shop and then tampered with the beverage. The victims were then allegedly led to an “adult perpetrator” where they were “raped at gunpoint,” per the release.

A suspect has since been arrested, according to the department.

The boy who allegedly drugged his fellow students has since been suspended, and a disciplinary hearing is scheduled for him on Wednesday, Sept. 17, according to the release. The department said the incident was initially reported to the school by one of the victim’s parents on Monday, Sept. 8. 

“Such an unspeakable act should never happen to any learner in Gauteng,” Matome Chiloane, member of the Executive Council for Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, said while commenting on the alleged incident, per the release. “We sympathize dearly with the affected learners and families, assuring them of our full support during this time.”

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“This incident is a reminder of the importance of our collective duty to ensure the safety of our children in and outside of school,” Chiloane added. 

PEOPLE reached out to the South African Police Service and the Gauteng Department of Education for comment on Saturday, Sept. 13, but did not receive an immediate response.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.