“Convincing or forcing an under-aged person to engage in a sexual activity or practice is a crime that is punishable by law as it is regarded as rape. A minor or under-aged person cannot give consent,” explained Captain Solomon Sibiya, the spokesperson for the Kagiso Police.
He added that six suspects were to appear in the Kagiso Magistrates’ Court following rape charges laid against them by a victim’s guardian.
“The suspects aged between 18 and 21 years were traced at their homes and arrested on 20 October at about 9.30pm. The 13-year-old victim allegedly was raped on different dates and occasions,” Sibiya explained.
The first incident happened on 22 January when a 22-year-old man allegedly found the victim sitting in front of her home.
“He took the victim to the unoccupied RDP houses in Extension 13 where he raped her. Thereafter he threatened her that he would kill her if she should tell anyone about what happened.”
The second incident occurred on 15 May at about 3.30pm when two 18-years-olds found the victim next to her house and also took her to the unoccupied RDP houses in Extension 13 where they gang-raped her.
The next incident happened on 26 June at about 5pm when the girl was walking to the shop. A 22-year-old and a 19-year-old forced her into one of the Extension 13 RDP houses and she was raped again.
“On 7 July at about 6.30pm she accompanied her brother to the shop but he returned home alone because a 20-year-old had taken her to his shack where he also raped her.”
The latest incident happened on 26 August at about 2pm when she was accosted on the street by three men who took her to the shack of a 21-year-old man. He ended up raping her.
On 17 October the victim’s mother noticed something was wrong with her daughter and started questioning her.
“The victim opened up and pointed out all six suspects. She then confronted them and they confessed to have committed the crime. The matter was then reported to the police. All suspects were traced and arrested.”
A case of rape was opened at the Kagiso Police and all six suspects were formally charged.
The case is being investigated by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit.
