Barely a few weeks after the entire country went into mourning mode and took to the streets in protest against women and children abuse, a 48-year-old man was arrested for and charged with allegedly raping his 13-year-old stepdaughter.
Tembisa police spokesperson Capt Ralidzhivha Manyadza confirmed the arrest.
He said the alleged rape has been happening since April.
He said the child is being looked after by a guardian, since her biological mother has died.
“According to the child’s guardian, she noticed the child was not walking properly and wasn’t feeling well. She was in pain and was also vomiting. So the guardian gave her medicine, but still she didn’t feel better. The following day the child still showed signs of not being well. The guardian suspected the child may have been sexually abused,” said Ralidzhivha.
He said the guardian noticed discharge on victim’s underwear.
“When she asked her about the discharge, the 13-year-old opened up and told her she was afraid to tell her what has been happening in her absence.
“She then told the guardian she had been sexual abused by her stepfather on several occasions since April this year,” he said.
He said the stepfather allegedly used to fetch her from school and would take her to his room, where he would rape her.
“He would promise to give her money and would further threaten to kill her if she ever said anything about this,” said Ralidzhivha.
He said the suspect will appear in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court.
