13-Year-Old Verulam Pupil Allegedly Linked to Drug Dealing and Sexual Exploitation
- A Grade Seven pupil in Durban allegedly disclosed her involvement in drug distribution and the provision of sexual services to a RUSA officer
- The learner allegedly removed suspected drugs from her socks during a meeting at the school's administration office, revealing she hid narcotics on school grounds
- RUSA handed a 5-minute bodycam recording to the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit to assist investigators
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
KWAZULU-NATAL — Authorities are investigating allegations that two Verulam primary school pupils were recruited to distribute drugs, with claims that one of the girls was also involved in providing sexual services.
The allegations involve two girls aged 13 and 11. The older pupil, a Grade 7 learner, allegedly told Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers that she had been recruited by friends to distribute drugs in the eThekwini area.
According to RUSA head Prem Balram, the organisation has handed a five-minute-and-five-second bodycam recording of the girl's account to detectives from the South African Police Service's (SAPS) Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
Teachers raise concerns over pupil
According to IOL, Balram said RUSA officers responded after the school's principal and two female teachers became increasingly concerned about the 13-year-old's behaviour.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
The educators allegedly observed unknown men stopping in a vehicle near the school fence and handing items to the pupil.
A female RUSA officer was subsequently dispatched to the school, where she met with the teachers and learner in the administration office.
During the interaction, the girl allegedly removed suspected drugs from her socks and handed them over. She reportedly told the officer that she had also hidden substances in different areas around the school.
Girl allegedly reveals drug network
According to the footage and RUSA, the learner claimed she had been recruited to distribute cocaine, rock and Mandrax across eThekwini.
She allegedly claimed that she had previously been apprehended four times but was never detained or charged for drug dealing.
The girl also allegedly told the officer that she had delivered drugs to private residences and visited hotels where she provided sexual services.
She reportedly said other females had encouraged her involvement and alleged that another child, aged 11, was part of the group.
The 13-year-old allegedly cited money, power and respect as reasons for becoming involved. She also claimed that she had previously been hospitalised after swallowing drugs.
The bodycam footage has been handed to specialised SAPS detectives, who will investigate the allegations and establish whether anyone else was involved.
8-year-old busted with drugs
In similar news, Briefly News reported that a young child was found with a bag of dagga on school premises in Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal. The eight-year-old boy was caught by a teacher at a Phoenix primary school on Tuesday, 26 September. Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) spokesperson Prem Balarm said the teacher called RUSA officers in the morning after the child was found sniffing the bag of dagga.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
