Scores of learners from different secondary schools gathered outside the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court to support a Grade 12 boy (18) from a Mthatha School who is accused of raping a fellow learner (17).
The boy appeared in court for a bail hearing today, August 10.
The family of the boy gave permission for his and their names to be published, but due to the sexual nature of the case, Express is withholding the names.
According to the boy’s father they heard that the incident happened at Hillcrest while they were celebrating the birthday of another Grade 12 learner. The alleged incident happened in April this year, but the boy was only arrested last week.
The school’s representative council president said at court that they came to support the boy during his bail hearing as they believe he is innocent.
“To our knowledge, the two were lovers,” the SRC president said. “What happened to him can happen to all of us. We decided to stand up and support him.”
The bail hearing has been postponed until tomorrow, August 11, at the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court.
