Girl (10) recovering after brutal rape and stabbing

It was believed that the incident took place about two weeks ago after a man broke into the girl’s family home, Highway Mail reported.

The family’s spokesperson Carey Tonkin said the girl’s attacker dragged her body with such force that her intestines hung outside her body.

The girl was later left for dead not far from her home.

No arrests had been made.

Kelly Kidgell, the creator and administrator of the Upper Highway Buy Swap and Sell Facebook group that has about 17 500 members, said she decided to use the power of social media to try and raise funds for the girl and her family, who live in a small, dilapidated house.

“(The girl) is currently at a government hospital in Durban, but we would love to have her moved to a private hospital. She is in a critical condition and is still on a ventilator, taking just a few breaths on her own at a time,” said Kidgell.

“This week she opened her eyes for the first time. Tears rolled down her face and haven’t stopped. She’s had surgery to repair her wounds, but she is tube-fed. It will be a long road to recovery, physically. Mentally, even longer.”

Kidgell added that the girl’s parents were devastated and terrified.

“Both parents are currently unemployed. The home is only partially roofed and they have no fridge or stove. We wish we could relocate the family. Despite the challenges at home, she is an A-aggregate pupil at a school in Inchanga,” said Kidgell.

“We asked the social media audience to raise funds for taxi fare for her parents and food for the household. Through the Facebook page we’ve had a bunk bed sponsored by Quirky Queens as well as roofing for the house and other commodities like food and clothes. There are amazing people in the Highway area.”

Spearheading the collection and fundraiser is Ruth Duma from non-profit organisation Lionsraw.

To donate, email ruth.duma@lionsraw.org, Kelly on 084 245 6169 or Annie on 079 809 2154.

– Caxton News Service