BARBERTON – The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children was officially launched last Tuesday under the theme “Let’s challenge militarism and end violence against women”.
Local police are determined to fight abuse against children as they already embarked on activities to interact with kids.
Mpumalanga News learnt that these days children are being targeted by rapists. Speaking during their visit to Thandanani Home-based Care, the spokesperson of the police,
Const Tutu Nkosi encouraged children who were being abused to speak out.
“It has been brought to our attention that these days children fall victim to rape. We have also realised that in most cases, they are sexually abused by people who are very close to them or know them. Kids must not allow strangers to touch or play with their private parts.
“In most cases, the perpetrators, especially those who are very close to the kids, start by playing with their private parts. When they notice that the child is not saying a word to family members, they go further and have sexual intercourse with the innocent child. This time around, we want to go out in full force and talk to children. We appeal to parents to communicate with their kids so that it will be easy for them to tell the parents when they are raped,” Nkosi added.
Not so long ago, the local Magistrate’s Court meted harsher sentences that will hopefully send a clear message to other rapists.
Recently, a preschool assistant at Buhle Buyeta Preschool, Mr Brian Nkosi (43), appeared in the local Magistrate’s Court and was charged with two counts, one for child rape and another for sexual assault.
This comes after it was alleged that Nkosi forced himself on a 11-year-old learner.
In another incident, a girl was sexually assaulted by him after he forcefully kissed and touched her private parts.
