JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- South African authorities have dropped statutory rape charges against a girl, 15, but children's advocates say the charges should not have been brought at all.
The girl was charged along with the two boys who allegedly raped her. South African rights organizations said they were shocked by the decision, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported Thursday.
The alleged rape occurred in a school near Johannesburg this month in the presence of students who took pictures of the incident on their phones, the BBC said.
Prosecutors said rape charges were dropped because of a lack of evidence but the National Prosecuting Authority said all three teens could be charged under South Africa's Sexual Offenses Act.
A legal advice group at the Western Cape University called The Children's Right Project, said going to court with the issue would not serve the girl's interests.
UPI
