Space muffin trio charged with attempted murder after getting schoolkids stoned
The children were sold the muffins, laced with cannabis, at their school gates…
Three men who sold unsuspecting learners “space muffins”, laced with cannabis, at a school’s gates in Gauteng, South Africa, have been charged with 43 counts of attempted murder.
The outrageous incident took place in Soshanguve, about 32km north of Pretoria.
Amukelani Nyulunga, 19, Ofentse Maluleka, 21, and Katelgo Matlala, 29, appeared in the Soshanguve court accused of getting 90 children “totally stoned”.
The pupils aged between 8 and 11 were approached by the trio before lessons and offered dope cakes on a “two for one” deal as they tried to walk in for lessons.
But within 30 minutes of eating the muffins outside Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve they were “tripping out” at their desks and “talking nonsense”.
A fleet of ambulances rushed them to the George Mukhari Academic Hospital with half of them said to be “giggling wildly” with the rest of them vomiting.
The three men were quickly arrested by police, still with “space muffins” and taken before local magistrates, where they were charged with the attempted murder of 43 pupils.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said: ”They are accused of selling muffins laced with narcotics to children on their way into school.
“It is alleged on September 20 they sold these muffins to pupils and it is further alleged they (the pupils) started behaving strangely at school and were vomiting with stomach cramps.
“All three (suspects) have been remanded in custody pending a bail hearing on October 20,” she said, adding that another 15 counts of attempted murder will be added.
It was explained that the reason that the charge was attempted murder was that the pupils were threatened with assault if they did not buy the dope cakes and if they refused to eat them.
Constance Poni, grandmother of one of the drugged-up pupils, said: ”My poor grandson was sleepy and intoxicated and so were lots and lots of the other children. They were all saying things that just made no sense at all.”
The 66-year-old grandfather of another Junior Matseba, said: “Some of the learners were wide-eyed just looking out the classroom windows and others were fast asleep.
“Most were totally stoned and giggling wildly and tripping out, but for others they were just being sick and had belly cramps. It is said they were offered two muffins for the price of one.
“Fortunately after 12 to 24 hours the effects wore off and although they were still very groggy and not knowing what happened the hospital let them go home,” he said.
Gauteng Education Member of the Executive Council Matome Chiloane said they applauded the police for their speed in arresting the drug dealing suspects.
He said: “I’m pleased these unscrupulous individuals were caught and hope for a sentence that will be a deterrent for others who seek to peddle drugs to learners.”
A South African Police spokesman confirmed all three remained in custody.
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