Suspects due to appear in court for raping relatives

TONGA – Two rape suspects are due to appear before in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court for raping relatives, in separate incidents.

The first suspect is a 37-year-old man from Langeloop Trust, who raped his 15-year-old niece. It is alleged that he first raped her two years ago and has repeatedly done so since.

According to the spokesman for Tonga SAPS, Lt Mzwandile Nyambi, this happened after she fell ill and doctors diagnosed a sexually transmitted disease.

“The sister reported the matter to the police and a case of rape has been opened against the uncle. He was arrested and appeared in court on September 15,” said Lt Mzwandile Nyambi. According to her he was granted bail of R500 and the court date was postponed to October 20.

The second suspect is a 28-year-old man from Madadeni who took advantage of his 17-year-old cousin and raped her. Nyambi said, “It is said that there was a party at the victim’s house and the suspect had been drinking, after he became drunk he forced himself on the young girl.

The victim woke her mother up at about 04:00 on Sunday, September 14 and informed her of the crime that has taken place. She was then rushed to hospital where it was confirmed that she had indeed been raped.”

He added, “The matter was reported to the police and a case of rape was opened. The suspect has been arrested and appeared in the Nkomazi court on September 15. The bail application was postponed to September 19.”

The SAPS in Tonga is encouraging the community to report sexual assault cases with immediate effect, as they have realised that rape victims do not report these crimes because of the relation to the rapist.

Nyambi said, “Police are warning parents or families who still protect suspects just because they are related to the victim, that once it is found that they are doing so, they will also be arrested. We would like to extend words of gratitude to the parents of the victim from Madadeni for reporting the matter immediately.”