Times Of Swaziland: SOCCER STAR HELD FOR DRUGGING,  GANG-RAPE  OF PUPIL (15)

SOCCER STAR HELD FOR DRUGGING,  GANG-RAPE  OF PUPIL (15)
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Phiwase Phungwayo on 10/07/2024 07:53:00


MANZINI – A shocking development has unfolded, as a local soccer player has
been arrested on suspicion of allegedly drugging and gang-raping a 15-year-old
pupil.
This act was allegdly perpetrated on the minor, who attends a local high school
in Manzini. The incident sent shockwaves across the community and authorities
are investigating the matter. The alleged incident unfolded at a club house in
Manzini, where the young learner supposedly found herself at the mercy of a
group of soccer players, one of whom stands accused of drugging her, before
participating in the gang-rape. The ordeal took place on June 25, in the late
afternoon, between 5:30pm and 6pm.
While details of the harrowing incident are still shrouded in mystery,
information gathered from sources suggest that a prominent soccer player is
implicated in the commission of the offence. According to the sources, the
adolescent was en route to meet her mother at a nearby park, when the encounter
with the perpetrators occured.A vehicle, reportedly driven by a soccer player,
with his teammates as passengers, pulled up alongside the girl, swiftly
initiating contact. It was disclosed that despite the minor’s adamant refusal
of the soccer players’ sinister proposition, the men, seemingly undeterred by
her resistance, allegedly pursued her in their car and eventually cornered her
and thrust her into their vehicle.
Forcefully
The sources further revealed that the minor was forcefully ensnared by her
captors inside the car and immediately began to experience a sense of
disorientation, supposedly from the effect of being drugged. In a sleepy,
dream-like state, the minor is said to have been transported to the club house,
where she soon became aware of the act being carried out in her helpless state.
Meanwhile, the sources revealed that the minor found herself naked.
The sources detailed that as the frantic search for the missing girl gained
momentum, a glimmer of hope finally emerged when concerned individuals managed
to track her down to the soccer player’s custody, where he had been
purportedly keeping her captive for over 24 hours. Reports indicated that one of
the soccer players, believed to be associated with a prominent team in the
region, was summoned for questioning in connection with the alleged gang-rape.
The soccer players, who are now suspects, found themselves facing investigations
by law enforcers, to unravel the truth behind the ordeal inflicted on the minor.
 “The club house is notorious for its binge-drinking sessions, often
accompanied by reckless sexual activities, making it difficult to ascertain the
exact number of perpetrators involved in the horrific gang-rape of the minor,”
the sources revealed. In an effort to identify the perpetrators, medical
practitioners are said to have obtained swabs from the minor, to determine who
was involved in the alleged rape.
According to the sources, these results, expected in due time, will shed light
on the appalling situation and bring justice for the survivor.Chief Police
Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati,
confirmed knowledge of the matter. She said one man had been arrested in
connection with the alleged rape of a minor. Vilakati said investigations were
still ongoing.
Similar
This latest case of alleged sexual assault perpetrated by a member of a soccer
team echoes a similar incident from 2023, when Young Buffaloes attacking
midfielder Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze, was apprehended by the authorities for
allegedly raping a woman. He was granted bail. This is yet another stark
reminder of the disturbing trend of sexual violence and abuse in the realm of
sports and its wider implications for both the survivor and the community.