A six-year-old boy in South Africa was discovered severely injured on March 1, 2023, after being attacked in what authorities are treating as an attempted murder case. The child was found bleeding in a ditch near the Blue Skye informal settlement in Boksburg, Gauteng Province. Eyewitness accounts describe a harrowing scene where the boy had been restrained, pepper-sprayed, and castrated.
Residents heard the boy’s desperate cries for help and rushed to his aid. Upon arrival, they initially suspected he had been stabbed, but quickly realized the extent of his injuries was far worse. He was found covered in blood, near death from significant blood loss. Local emergency services transported the boy to a hospital, where he is now reported to be in stable condition.
While the exact motive behind the attack remains unclear, speculation has arisen regarding possible connections to ritualistic practices, such as voodoo or Satanism. One resident, who requested anonymity due to fears of retaliation, expressed disbelief at the brutality of the act: “Who would do such a thing to such a little boy? It really is the cruellest of the cruel.”
Another local remarked on the potential motivations for the attack, stating, “The rumors are it is Satanism or taking body parts for a voodoo ritual.” This sentiment reflects the growing fear among parents in the community, many of whom are now concerned for their children’s safety.
Colonel Matshedeso Mbele, the commander of the Boksburg South African Police station, confirmed that investigators are treating this incident as a serious crime. However, she declined to share specific details about the boy’s injuries due to their sensitive nature. Colonel Mbele stated that authorities have not yet identified whether adults or older children were involved in the attack.
As the community grapples with the shock of this incident, local residents are voicing their fears. One mother, Chantel Naude, shared her thoughts on the matter: “I am considering moving out of the area as we feel unsafe. I have boys as well and don’t want them attacked.” She described the victim as a familiar face in the neighborhood, often seen seeking food or small change, always with a smile.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about safety and violence against children in the region. As authorities continue their investigation, the community remains on high alert, hoping for justice for the young boy who has already endured unimaginable trauma.