Two Verulam primary school girls allegedly linked to drug dealing and sexual exploitation - IOL

Reaction Unit SA officers have handed over bodycam footage to the police which recorded one of the 13-year-old girls admitting to prostituting herself for “money and power”.

Authorities are investigating allegations that two Verulam primary school pupils were used to distribute drugs, amid claims of grooming and sexual exploitation.

It has been alleged that the girls, aged 13 and 11, were caught dealing in drugs and that one of them had admitted to prostituting herself for “money and power”.

A source close to the investigation claimed that new drug dealers had been infiltrating Verulam after the death of Verulam drug kingpin Anthony ‘Tatu’ Gounden.

Gounden was shot and killed in April.

The source claimed the new dealers using schoolgirls to peddle drugs.

Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said the 13-year-old, who is a Grade 7 pupil, had disclosed her involvement in an network linked to the distribution of drugs and the provision of sexual services in the eThekwini area.

He said they had body cam footage of the girl’s version of how and why she was selling drugs and prostituting herself.

He said he had handed the footage the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.

“Officers responded to the incident following concerns raised by the principal and two female teachers.

“According to the teachers, they had become increasingly concerned about the girl’s behaviour and activities over a period of time.

“Staff allegedly observed unknown men stopping in a vehicle near the school fence and handing items to the pupil. 

“Fearing that the activity could place the child and other pupils at risk, the school contacted the RUSA.”

He alleged the girl had removed what was believed to have been drugs from her socks and handed them over to the officer.

“She then said that she had been concealing drugs in different areas within the primary school.  

“She claimed that she had been recruited by friends to distribute cocaine, rock, and mandrax, and further claimed that she had previously been arrested on four occasions, but she had not been detained or criminally charged for drug dealing.

“The girl disclosed that she had been delivering drugs directly to residences and visiting hotels where she provided sexual services.

“She claimed that other girls were involved in the activities and had encouraged her to participate.

“She told officers that money, power and respect were among the reasons she became involved in drugs and prostitution.

“She said another minor, who was 11-years-old, was also a part of the group,” said Balram.

Balram said investigations into the girl’s claims led to information that the 11-year-old was being used by her father to supply drugs to school children.

“The children are still in school pending ongoing investigations. Both children are still in the custody of their parents.

“Teachers said that the 11-year-old had threatened them for reprimanding her.”

He said the girls revealed that they were hiding the drugs in the school’s fire hydrants and in their socks.

Roshan Lil‑Ruthan, chairperson of the Verulam Business Forum, said they were outraged by the revelations of drug trafficking and underage sexual exploitation infiltrating primary and secondary schools in the area.

He said the scourge of young girls being used for drug dealing represents the collapse of family values, the breakdown of parental responsibility, and the failure of enforcement agencies to protect our children. 

“Drug proliferation, consumption, sexual bullying, and the trafficking of minors into prostitution are destroying the moral fabric of our society and robbing our youth of their innocence, dignity, and future.

“At our recent Sector One Policing Forum meeting, the forum raised concerns that the community knows who the drug dealers are, yet law enforcement appears blind to the epidemic. 

“This has created a qualified trust deficit against law enforcement agencies. Communities cannot continue to live under siege while enforcement agencies remain passive,” he said.

“We call on the SAPS nd all enforcement agencies to go to the root of these crimes, dismantle the networks, and take a strong, uncompromising position to regain the trust of the community. We have  sent a distress call to provincial police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for backup and support, and we demand urgent intervention,” Lil‑Ruthan added.

He said they also called on the KZN Department of Social Development (DSD) to immediately deploy emergency resources to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect vulnerable children. 

“This is no longer a matter of isolated incidents; it is a systemic crisis requiring coordinated national and provincial action,” he added.

Adeshni Naicker, director of Childline KZN, said while the allegations must be properly investigated, it is important that the child was not viewed simply as an offender. 

“A child of this age who was allegedly being recruited to distribute drugs or provide sexual services may herself be vulnerable to grooming, manipulation, exploitation and abuse.

“Children do not belong in criminal networks, and they should never be exploited for financial gain or other adult interests. The priority must be to ensure the child’s immediate safety, provide appropriate psychosocial support and establish who may have recruited, supplied or exploited her.”

She said the case also highlighted the importance of schools, parents, communities and child-protection organisations working together to identify warning signs early. 

“Changes in behaviour, unexplained money or possessions, contact with unknown adults, substance use or children being drawn into unsafe environments should never be ignored,” Naicker added.

A source close to the case said a criminal syndicate, which is being operated by women and men, were soliciting and grooming young girls, as they believe that the girls would not face harsh legal action should they be caught.

“This has been going on for a long time. We have dealt with about eight cases in recent months. We believe that the syndicate is operating in Phoenix and Verulam, recruiting girls.

“The girls are afraid to talk. There are parents putting pressure on their young girl children to sell drugs to pay off their loan shark accounts. The cases are shocking,” the source added.