Schoolboys accused of gang rape released

The two Johannesburg schoolboys accused of drugging and raping a 15-year-old girl at Jules High School were released.

Mthunzi Mhaga, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, said last night that "due to insufficient evidence we have requested the police to conduct further investigations".

The two boys, aged 14 and 16, are from Jules High and New Nation High, in Johannesburg.

They were arrested yesterday for allegedly drugging two girls and raping one of them on Thursday.

Other pupils are said to have witnessed the alleged assault and several recorded videos on their cellphones.

"[The boys] did not appear in court," said Mhaga.

He said the NPA "appreciated the sensitivity of the matter, but unfortunately we are only as good as the evidence we get".

Gauteng police spokesman Lungelo Dlamini yesterday said: "The investigating officer was at court today with the docket. It was taken before the director of public prosecutions."

Mhaga said the NPA would wait for the police to gather witness's statements and for the results of tests on blood samples taken from the girl.

• Yesterday, The Times reported that the girl's mother paid R5500 a month in fees to Jules High. This should have read R500 a month, just under half of the mother's monthly income of R1190. We regret the error.