A six-year-old boy was discovered severely injured in a ditch in Boksburg, South Africa, on March 1, 2024. Authorities report that he had been held down, pepper-sprayed, and had his genitals severed. The circumstances of the attack have led to speculation that it may be linked to rituals associated with voodoo or Satanism.
The child was found crying for help in an overgrown area near a gold mine in the Blue Skye informal settlement. Local residents responded to his desperate screams and rushed to assist him. Upon examination, they initially suspected a stabbing, only to find the horrific evidence of castration. Reports indicate that the boy was close to death from blood loss when he was discovered, according to The Mail Online.
Residents in the community expressed shock and fear following the attack. One local, speaking anonymously due to concerns for their safety, described the incident as “the cruellest of the cruel.” They emphasized the barbaric nature of the assault, stating, “To pepper-spray the little boy is bad enough, but to cut off his genitals is just barbaric, and that kid will have mental issues for the rest of his life.”
Another resident suggested that the attack might be connected to occult practices, saying, “The rumors are it is Satanism or taking body parts for a voodoo ritual.” This sentiment reflects the growing anxiety among families in the area. Chantel Naude, a local resident, mentioned her concerns for her own children’s safety, stating, “I am considering moving out of the area as we feel unsafe, as I have boys as well and don’t want them attacked.”
The boy, who is known to locals for seeking food and small change, is currently in stable condition at a local hospital. Emergency services have not confirmed the full extent of his injuries, but Colonel Matshedeso Mbele, the station commander for the Boksburg South African Police, stated that investigators are treating the incident as an attempted murder case.
Colonel Mbele declined to provide further details regarding the nature of the boy’s injuries, citing their sensitive nature. She also mentioned that authorities have not yet determined whether adults or older children were responsible for the attack.
This shocking incident has raised significant concerns about safety within the community, prompting parents to be more vigilant regarding their children’s well-being. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to uncover the circumstances surrounding this brutal attack.
