Boy Circumcised by Schoolmates in South Africa Incident

An 11-year-old boy, a Grade 5 pupil at Sinqobile Primary School in Soshanguve, Pretoria, was forcibly circumcised by four Grade 7 pupils during break time. The attackers allegedly held him down in a school toilet, threatened him against reporting the incident, and cut off his foreskin while tying a red ribbon around his penis.

The boy returned home but initially did not disclose the attack. His mother noticed he was walking unusually and, upon examination, he revealed his swollen penis and explained the assault.

She subsequently took him to a doctor and opened a criminal case. Captain Tintswalo Sibeko of the South African Police Service confirmed that the case is being investigated as assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The Gauteng Department of Education is also involved, stating that the police investigation will determine further actions. The school’s deputy principal, George Mahlangu, described the incident as disturbing, emphasizing that schools should be safe environments for children.

The incident raises concerns about unsafe circumcision practices linked to traditional initiation schools in South Africa.