Police in South Africa are investigating the alleged forced circumcision of an 11-year-old boy by four older pupils in a toilet at Sinqobile Primary School in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria.
The Grade 5 pupil was reportedly attacked during a break by Grade 7 boys, who are alleged to have restrained him before cutting away his foreskin. He was then warned not to tell teachers or his family.
His mother, who has not been named to protect her son’s identity, said she became suspicious several days later after noticing that he was walking unusually.
When asked what was wrong, the boy reportedly told her it was a fashionable new way of walking. He later became unable to get out of bed because of the pain and showed her that his private parts were swollen.
She took him for medical treatment, where she was told that four pupils had allegedly carried out the circumcision. The boy said three of the attackers held him down while another tied a red ribbon around his penis and used a sharp implement to remove the foreskin.
“He said the other boys pinned him down in the school toilets during break and tied a red ribbon round his penis and cut off his foreskin,” his mother said.
She added that the pupils had threatened to beat him if he reported what happened. She has since opened a criminal case and has refused to send her son back to the school.
The boy later returned with police to identify the alleged attackers during identity parades. Police said the case was reported at Soshanguve police station on August 24 and has been transferred to the Ga-Rankuwa Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit. ([snl24.com](https://www.snl24.com/news/watch-bring-back-sons-foreskin-back-20260828/?utm_source=openai))
Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, a Gauteng police spokeswoman, said officers were investigating a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“No arrests have been made at this stage, and the investigation is ongoing,” she said.
The Gauteng Department of Education said it was informed of the allegation on August 21. Spokesman Onwabile Lubhelwana said the pupil had received medical care, including further treatment at Dr George Mukhari Hospital, while psychological support had been activated for the boy and his family. ([snl24.com](https://www.snl24.com/news/watch-bring-back-sons-foreskin-back-20260828/?utm_source=openai))
Mr Lubhelwana said the school had a supervision roster involving teaching staff and patrollers, but that supervision during breaks would be strengthened, particularly around toilet facilities.
“The outcome of the investigation will determine action to be taken,” he said.
The department said the school had not reported any similar incidents. Deputy principal George Mahlangu said staff were perplexed by the alleged attack.
“This is a place where a child should have been safe,” he said.
The boy’s mother said she was concerned that a sharp object could have been brought into the school without being detected and that her son remained too frightened to return to lessons.
The doctor told the family that the alleged procedure appeared to have been carried out in a manner associated with traditional initiation schools. No stitches were used, and a full assessment of the injury is expected only after the swelling has subsided.
Authorities have stressed that the alleged attack was not an authorised cultural initiation procedure. The investigation will determine the identity and precise involvement of the pupils accused. ([timeslive.co.za](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-31-watch-boy-pinned-down-for-forced-circumcision-by-older-schoolmates/?utm_source=openai))
