Verulam girl, 13, removed from parental care as drug allegations are investigated
The teenager was removed from her parents by the Department of Social Development.
A 13-year-old student from Verulam has been taken into temporary care while authorities investigate allegations that she was involved in drug distribution and potential sexual exploitation. The Verulam Child Welfare director, Mala Pather, confirmed the removal of the teenager on Monday by the Department of Social Development (DSD). The girl is currently being kept in a safe house while the investigations into the allegations continue.
Pather expressed concern about the allegations, stating that child predators are targeting increasingly younger children, as young as 11-years-old. She emphasized the vulnerability of these children, who are used as carriers and distributors due to their innocence, and the risk they face. Pather warned that this incident is just a glimpse of a larger issue and that many other children might be involved.
According to Pather, suspicious activities were reported to the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit by Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), after school staff noticed a pupil receiving a parcel from unknown men near the school fence. The student later revealed that she had been distributing mandrax, cocaine, and rock, and providing sexual services at local establishments and hotels.
She handed over the drugs and identified others allegedly involved, including another 11-year-old girl from the same school.
On Monday, officials from the DSD and SAPS members of a specialized unit met with RUSA officers. After the meeting, authorities removed the 13-year-old from her parents' custody and transported her to a medical facility for examination before being moved to a place of safety. The grandmother of the girl claimed that the child was only experimenting and that the school had blown the incident out of proportion, suggesting that it was normal teenage behavior.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the allegations, including the potential involvement of other minors, is ongoing.
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