Mothers from the Tshepisong community came together in support of a young mother who wants justice after her four-year-old toddler was raped.

The young mother spoke to the News about the horrific ordeal and explained that she came home on the evening of August 29 and was informed by the toddler’s grandmother that the little girl was complaining about pain in her private parts.

“I thought it was eczema, because she has problems with it,” she said.

When the girl still complained about pain after taking a bath and her medicine, her mother asked her what was going on and she told her that the malume (uncle) at her crèche had penetrated her.

She didn’t even understand what had happened or what to call what had happened to her.”

The mother said she went to the owner of the crèche and told her about the incident, but the woman showed no remorse. She allegedly asked to check the girl herself, and the mother said she would take the girl to the clinic the next day.

The clinic staff immediately referred them to Leratong Hospital where the mother said hospital staff phoned the police after examining the child.

Community representative, Mapula Mosiane, further explained that the police came the same day and the girl then pointed out the man, believed to be in his 30s, and also showed them where he slept.

The suspect is the son of the owner of the school and lives on the school property. His own child and the victim are about the same age and they play together, so she knows him well.

Mosiane said the suspect was taken to the police station but he was not arrested.

Captain Solomon Sibiya, spokesperson for the Kagiso Police confirmed that the incident had been reported to them and an investigation was underway. He said the suspect would be arrested only if their investigation proved the details of the incident.

We want the crèche to be closed and we want something to be done. What about the other children? The crèche is still open and he (the suspect) is still outside.”

The mother said they were working on getting help for her and her daughter, but that her daughter was in constant pain and very angry. Women from the community came together in solidarity on Thursday, September 9 and set up camp outside the school.

During the News‘ visit the suspect and the school owner were not there.