Pupils urged to take a stand against rape
Speaking at Sikhutsele Primary School, Nkosi said people should not accept abuse and violence as a way of life. "You must understand that abuse and violence are not acceptable and won't be tolerated.
BARBERTON – The Barberton police say the number of rape and sexual offences in Umjindi remain unacceptably high.
Visiting various schools around Emjindini last Thursday, Const Tutu Nkosi, Barberton police spokesman said they had launched the Siyahlomisa (we equip) Campaign, which is aimed at encouraging learners to take a stand against sexual violence at schools and homes.
Speaking at Sikhutsele Primary School, Nkosi said people should not accept abuse and violence as a way of life. “You must understand that abuse and violence are not acceptable and won’t be tolerated. There is a trend where young children are now being targeted and abused and some parents try to keep it within the family by not reporting it to police.
You must be aware that every time you are being abused, you must report it to your teachers if you are too afraid to come to the police,” she said.
Stakeholders such as the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, community policing forum, tourists safety monitors and councillors have joined as partners in the campaign, and are serving as information providers during visits to schools around the area.
All stakeholders agreed that there needed to be more awareness among parents, teachers and guardians that kids needed to be looked after and protected.
Several incidences of rape in Umjindi have been reported this year:
• In January, Barberton Times reported about the nightmare of a girl aged 14 who was allegedly raped by her 33-year-old neighbour on December 24 at New Village section in Emjindini. The suspect, Thembelihle Sithole, has since made several court appearances.
• In February, a 53-year-old man, Johannes Sambo, believed to be a Mozambican national, was arrested at Sheba Siding after apparently raping an eight-year-old girl.
• In March, Albert Lusenga (83) of KaMadakwa in Emjindini Trust, who is believed to be from Mozambique, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl. It is believed that Lusenga started raping her when she was 10.
• In September, angry community members of Emjindini set fire to a house of a 50-year-old suspect who allegedly raped a three-year-old. Eyewitnesses said, had the police failed to respond in time, the alleged rapist, Raymond Nkosi (50) would have been the one set alight.
