The Machadodorp community are reeling after the release of a double-accused in two grooming and rape cases involving minors.

Police arrested the suspect after a 13-year-old complainant alleges she had to undergo an abortion after falling pregnant by the accused.

As the news spread among the community, another victim came forward, alleging that she too had been a victim of the accused.

The second complainant alleges that the grooming started when she was six.

The victim alleges that the rapes started when she turned nine.

The victims claim that while they were told to be at court on a specific day, the bail proceedings were rescheduled for a day earlier without them being informed.

Neither the investigating officer nor the prosecutor in the matter reached out to either victim regarding the bail application having been pushed forward.

Two similar cases have also drawn attention.

In a second such case, a well known SA Democratic Teachers Union member stands accused of domestic violence. The victim was so severely injured that she had to have broken bones mended with surgical plates and pins.

The suspect has not been suspended.

In another shocking failure, a cognitively-impaired victim was raped while walking in the streets in Thembisile Hani.

The suspect and his family tried swaying the victim and her family by offering cash to have charges withdrawn.

In both the above matters, court dates were also moved without informing the victims.

In all three cases, the reasons for bail were never communicated to the victims, who only found out about the release of the accused upon self enquiry into the cases.