Boy, 11, 'sexually assaulted' at Lenasia mosque

“It was late in the evening and I was tired. I didn’t understand what he meant when he said they ‘hit’ him.”

These are the words of a Malawian father whose 11-year-old son was allegedly sexually assaulted in a Lenasia mosque last week.

Speaking from his landlord’s home, the 52-year-old father of two said he was heartbroken by what happened to his youngest child at the Masjid Muawwiyah (mosque).

The boy was removed from his Lenasia home by social workers on Friday and taken to an undisclosed school and boarding facility, where his father and brother see him over weekends.

“They hit him, slapped him and kicked him around. As if that wasn’t enough – they took his pants off and did some disturbing things to my boy,” he said before letting out a deep sigh.

His son’s alleged perpetrators, aged 13, 14, 15 and 23, made a brief appearance at the Protea magistrate’s court on Friday morning.

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said the four are facing charges of sexual assault and assault common.

“The alleged assault took place after prayers on Tuesday and Wednesday. The suspects took the boy into an upstairs room, where they allegedly sexually assaulted him,” said Makhubela.

“Both incidents were recorded on the mosque’s CCTV cameras. The footage was handed over to police and will be used as evidence.”

Makhubela however added that the suspects were released into their parents’ custody after the prosecutor advised that police conduct further investigations into the case.

Jamiatul Ulama South Africa’s general secretary Moulana E.I. Bham said the Islamic organisation’s branch officials were in consultation with the mosque’s congregation.

“This abominable act is an indicator of a total absence of decency and respect for the other, especially for the young and vulnerable,” he said.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation issued a press release on Monday questioning whether there was an underlying racial element to the attack on the Malawian boy.

“The possible combination of sexual and racial assault on a child should be regarded as a heinous crime and its perpetrators must face the full might of the law,” read the statement.

The boy’s father said he was worried by the freedom granted to his son’s assailants, as well as the safety of other children in the area.

“How can four boys think it is right to hit on such a small boy? All I feel is a pain that I can’t explain – a pain that just won’t go away,” he said.