MASHISHING – The father of a two-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped, is demanding justice.

During an interview with Steelburger/Lydenburg News, he could not hide the pain the assault on his daughter had brought about. “I want them to get a life sentence and never get out of prison.”

He was willing to share details of the assault after the two suspects who had been taken into police custody for questioning, walked free.

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According to the father, the alleged rape occurred on June 9.

“The toddler told her mom during bath time that her private parts are hurting. We immediately called the police and she was taken to Lydenburg Hospital. On arrival, there was no doctor to assist. They sent us away with painkillers.

The next morning, my sister took the child to Mashishing Clinic.

“They told her to go back to the hospital where she was sent back to the police station. The SAPS then escorted her back to the hospital yet again. Finally, the doctors confirmed that she had been raped. As a father, it is hard to watch my baby girl go through this. She will never be the same again,” he said.

“When the two suspects saw me at the police station they started apologising to me, saying they are sorry for what they did. They did it in the presence of the officers at the station, yet both are now out of the police cells.

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“Semen was found by the doctors when they checked my daughter and they said it was from the two men. They had raped her from both the front and back. I can’t understand why the police would let them go? What if they flee the country and go back to Mozambique? How will they find them? It is hard knowing they can escape and may never be punished for what they did.”

According to him, two neighbours said they had heard the toddler cry while she was with the two suspects. They tried to cover her screams by playing loud music. The suspects are friends: one is a tenant renting a back room at the victim’s home and the other is his friend.

“I took one of the women with me to the police station so that she can also tell them what she had told me. She explained everything to the SAPS when we were opening the case,” he explained.

Provincial police spokesperson, Brig Leonard Hlathi confirmed that a case had been opened.

“We are waiting for the DNA results. The suspects were taken to court where the magistrate said the investigation needs to be completed before a court appearance can be made.

“The case is not enrolled and the two suspects are not in custody. They were let go. We cannot proceed with the case
until the DNA results are back and further investigations are complete,” he said.

Last Tuesday members of the community were protesting after the news started circulating on social media. They closed off the roads in Extension 8 with rocks, garbage and burning tyres, demanding justice for the two-year-old victim.