A nine-year-old girl has been left with nothing to her name after she was brutally raped and her mother burned to death in their home in Msholozi last week.
The incident, that happened early on a Sunday morning, was confirmed by SAPS spokesman Col Mtsholi Bhembe. A source close to the investigation said the child now did not even have shoes or a school book left after the fire. “She is staying with family but has no clothes or anything else left.”
It was reported that neighbours were awakened by the crying girl. She could barely walk and they also saw that the house she shared with her mother was on fire.
The neighbours then called the fire department, which came and extinguished the fire. A burnt body of somebody who might have been her mother was found in the house.
Neighbours also alleged later that the suspect was a boyfriend of the deceased and was looking after the child on Saturday night.
Family members claimed the child told them her mother had come home with a strange man she did not know. “She says the man raped her and when he was finished, she saw him open the fridge and take food out and put it in a bag. He also took her mother’s phones. That is when the girl ran out of the house to get away. Then she saw the house on fire.”
Mpumalanga community safety, security and liaison MEC, Gabisile Shabalala and provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Mondli Zuma also visited the crime scene during the week. “These perpetrators should be given lengthy jail sentences in order to send a strong message that we are intolerant of the abuse of women and children,” Shabalala said.
She added that victims and survivors of these tragedies should be given adequate support so that they are not subjected to secondary victimisation. “We should all play a role in ensuring that women and children are safe. Innocent people should not die while we watch and keep quiet,” she concluded.
A case of rape, arson and murder was opened. No arrest had been made at the time of going to press. Anyone with information that can assist police in their investigation is urged to contact Capt Pat Banda on 082-449-0334 or the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600-1011.
Anyone wishing to donate clothing or items for the child can contact Capt Dimpo Nkosi on 082-373-8916.
