Gauteng Education Department Confirms Disciplinary Hearing for Grade 7 Boy in Khomani Primary School Rape Incident
Gauteng Education Department confirms disciplinary hearing for Grade 7 boy in Khomani Primary School rape incident, as the department reveals the learner allegedly drugged eight pupils who were then raped by an adult at gunpoint on 1 September 2025, with the hearing set for 17 September and the adult suspect arrested, amid ongoing police investigations and psychosocial support for victims.
The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that a disciplinary hearing will sit next week for a Grade 7 boy who allegedly orchestrated the rape of eight pupils at Khomani Primary School in Diepkloof. Please note that the following story contains details of rape and sexual violence. The Gauteng Department of Education said the incident, which happened on September 1, saw the Grade 7 learner allegedly drugging the eight pupils, whereafter an adult raped them. “Preliminary reports indicate that the instigating Grade 7 boy learner allegedly stole a bottle of cold drink at a local shop, which was reported by the shopkeeper.
It is then alleged that the learner drugged this drink and gave it to the eight boy learners to consume,” the department’s Steve Mabona said. The young boys were then held at gunpoint and raped. Mabona said the adult has since been arrested, while the Grade 7 boy has been suspended from school. “A disciplinary hearing against the learner is scheduled to sit on Wednesday, 17 September 2025. This incident was first reported to the school on Monday, 8 September 2025, by one of the victims’ parents,” he added. Police are investigating further details around the incident.
This horrific incident, which took place on 1 September 2025 in Diepkloof, Soweto, has shocked the community and drawn widespread condemnation. The Gauteng Department of Education, led by MEC Matome Chiloane, has described it as an “unspeakable act” that should never happen to any learner, committing to full support for the victims and their families. The eight boys, aged between 10 and 13, were allegedly lured by the Grade 7 learner, a fellow pupil at Khomani Primary School, who stole a cold drink from a local shop and laced it with an unknown substance. After consuming the drink, the boys were taken to an adult perpetrator, identified as a 31-year-old man, who allegedly raped them at gunpoint. The suspect was arrested on 6 September 2025 but was later released pending further investigations involving police forensic social workers, raising concerns about the pace of justice.
The school immediately suspended the Grade 7 boy, and the disciplinary hearing on 17 September 2025 will determine his fate, potentially leading to expulsion under the South African Schools Act for serious misconduct. The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) will oversee the process, ensuring fairness while addressing the gravity of the allegations. The adult suspect faces charges of rape and kidnapping, with police continuing to probe additional details, including how the minor collaborated with the perpetrator and whether others were involved.
Gauteng MEC Matome Chiloane visited Khomani Primary School on 9 September 2025, meeting with parents, staff, and community leaders to address the trauma and outrage. “Such an unspeakable act should never happen to any learner in Gauteng. We sympathise dearly with the affected learners and families, assuring them of our full support during this time,” Chiloane said, announcing the deployment of psychosocial support teams to assist victims, their families, and classmates. The Teddy Bear Clinic, a non-profit specialising in child trauma, has been brought in to provide counselling and medical assessments, ensuring the boys receive care for both physical injuries and emotional distress.
This incident follows a pattern of rising school-related violence in Gauteng, with the department reporting over 50 serious incidents in 2025, including assaults and sexual misconduct. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has flagged schools as potential spaces of fear due to bullying and violence, particularly impacting vulnerable groups. In this case, the victims’ parents reported the assault on 8 September after one child disclosed the ordeal, prompting swift action from the school and authorities.
Community leaders in Diepkloof have called for increased school safety measures, including stricter oversight of learners and community policing forums to monitor areas around schools. The incident has also reignited debates about child protection, with activists urging the Department of Basic Education to implement mandatory safety training and vetting for transport providers, as the boys were lured off school premises. Social media reactions on X express heartbreak and anger, with users demanding justice and systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies.
The Gauteng Department of Education is working with police and social services to ensure a thorough investigation, while schools across the province are being urged to strengthen safety protocols. The case has also drawn attention to broader issues of sexual violence in South Africa, with police statistics reporting over 10,000 rape cases in the last quarter of 2024, highlighting the need for community-driven prevention programmes.
As the disciplinary hearing approaches, the focus remains on supporting the victims and ensuring accountability. The school has increased security, and parents are being encouraged to engage in safety discussions. The outcome of the hearing and ongoing criminal case will likely influence future policies on learner conduct and child protection in Gauteng schools.
Details of the Khomani Primary School Rape Incident
On 1 September 2025, a Grade 7 boy allegedly drugged eight peers with a stolen cold drink, leading them to an adult who raped them at gunpoint. Reported on 8 September by a parent, the adult was arrested but released pending further inquiry.
Gauteng Education Department’s Response and Support Measures
MEC Chiloane condemned the act, deploying psychosocial teams and the Teddy Bear Clinic for counselling and assessments. The Grade 7 learner faces a disciplinary hearing on 17 September 2025.
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