“It is alleged that after the mother had left for work last Saturday (21 March), a misunderstanding occurred between the little girl and the suspect,” said Warrant Officer Daniel Mavimbela of Diepsloot Police Station.
“The suspect reportedly locked up the young victim in a shack in Extension 2. He pushed her against the corrugated iron structure, punched her and proceeded to beat her with a broom stick.”
The child is said to have suffered bruising around one eye and a severely damaged nasal bridge.
“About two weeks ago the suspect allegedly used another object to assault the girl’s mother. She suffered a deep laceration in the skull,” added Mavimbela.
Reports also stated that the suspect threatened both victims not to mention anything regarding the crimes.
“He would be furious if the mother tried to speak to the daughter in his absence. He even accompanied both victims separately when they went for medical treatment, during which he concocted untruthful versions to explain the victims’ injuries to practitioners.”
The mother reported the assault to the police after getting an advice from a colleague and the suspect was caught. He will appear in Randburg Magistrates’ Court on 25 March and will be charged with child abuse and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
“We are advising our people out there by highlighting two of the likely endings to domestic violence, especially when it involves physical abuse,” Mavimbela continued. “It is incarceration (police) or loss of life. The former is the better option.”
Do you think penalties for child abusers are harsh enough? Let us know by commenting in the comments section below.
