Court releases, warns mom accused of not reporting child’s alleged rape
During her bail application, the accused argued that she cares for her two minor children, including a breastfeeding infant, and posed no flight risk.
The mother of a 15-year-old girl, allegedly raped and impregnated by her 39-year-old father from the Lindelani informal settlement, was recently released on warning by the Tsakani Magistrate’s Court.
The 31-year-old mother faces charges of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child by a primary caregiver and failing to report a sexual offence against a vulnerable child despite having knowledge or reasonable suspicion.
Allegations indicate that the abuse began in March 2022 when the victim lived with her parents and younger brother in Tsakani.
According to National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, on the day of the first incident, the mother was at church, leaving the victim with her father and brother.
Also Read: Lindelani father denied bail for alleged rape, impregnation of daughter
It is alleged that the father called the victim into the house while she played outside and sent her brother to buy chips from the shops.
When the victim entered the house, she found the father in her room. He allegedly locked the door behind her, undressed himself and her, and raped her. He then reportedly left her in her room.
“Upon returning, the mother found the victim crying on her bed. When she asked what was wrong, the victim disclosed what had happened.
“However, the mother did not believe her. It is alleged that a second incident happened. However, the mother still did not believe the victim until she stopped telling her mother about the rapes that continued when the mother was not around.”
Mahanjana said that some time later, the victim became ill, prompting the mother to take her to the Pholosong Hospital, which confirmed the child was pregnant.
On an unspecified date, the mother allegedly brought a concoction and told the child to drink it in an attempt to abort her baby, which failed.
The parents then moved the victim to Limpopo to live with her paternal grandmother, where she gave birth to a boy in December 2022.
After turning 18, the victim opened a case in Limpopo on July 7, resulting in the father’s arrest on July 19.
Following investigations, the SAPS arrested the mother on August 13.
During her bail application, the accused, through her legal representative, argued that she cares for her two minor children, including a breastfeeding infant, and posed no flight risk.
Prosecutor Ntethelelo Ngcece opposed bail, citing the offence’s severity, the risk of influencing the victim and her prior attempt to administer the concoction. Investigating officer Sergeant Tebogo Lephoto testified that the victim had no objection to her mother’s release on bail, provided she stayed out of Limpopo.
The magistrate released the accused on warning, ruling she was not a flight risk, and the victim lives in Limpopo.
He noted the concoction’s effects could not be scientifically proven, suggesting it might have been the victim’s perception, and found it in the interest of justice to release her.
The case was postponed to September 25 for a regional prosecutor’s decision.
Also Read: Father sentenced to life for abuse of children, child pornography
