A Ramaphosa informal settlement family is demanding justice for their 14-year-old child who was allegedly raped by a man known to the family.
The incident happened on New Year’s Day.
According to the family, the man sent the teen to the shop at around 5pm to buy airtime, but she never returned home.
The victim’s sister said before the man asked them if he can send the child to the shop they were with him during the day.
She said when it started to get late they became worried and began to search for the child in the area.
The Grade Eight learner was allegedly found at the suspect’s house, crying, at around midnight.
When the family confronted the man, he fled the scene and was found in Graceland on January 4 after the police received a tip-off from community members who saw posters of him in the area.
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“We took her to the clinic where it was confirmed that she had been raped. We are disappointed in him because we know him very well. We never thought he could do something like this to our family. What he has done to my little sister has left a terrible scar in our hearts,” the sister said.
The sister said the teenager is not coping and is traumatised.
“We are furious and demand the harshest possible sentence to be handed down by the court so that justice can be served,” said the sister.
The mother of the 14-year-old was too upset to talk to the Advertiser.
Court appearance
About 50 residents from Ramaphosa informal settlement protested outside the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on January 15 during the suspect’s second court appearance.
One of the residents, Ruby Dumisi, said: “As community members we are angry about what happened to this innocent teenager who is now a victim of rape. We came in large numbers to show support and demand justice for her and her family. As women we no longer feel safe in our communities,” she said.
Reiger Park SAPS acting spokesperson Sgt Phathela Mashudu said a case of rape was opened at the police station.
The suspect will again appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on January 26. He is still in police custody.
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