A security guard at a care home in KwaDukuza has been arrested for the alleged rape of a 19 year old mentally disabled woman.
Her foster mother, Thandeka Mthethwa of Mandeni, has accused the caregivers at Inqolobane Children’s Home of trying to cover up the incident because they bathed the young woman and burned her underwear.
“What breaks my heart was that this girl lost her biological mother (her sister-in-law) when she was 3 months old. Realising that she was disabled and needed someone to take care of her, I thought taking her to the children’s home was safer than having someone looking after her at home. This makes me feel defeated,” said Mthethwa.
She said the owner of the centre, Vusi Mthunzi did apologise to her and said he was disappointed by the security guard’s behaviour.
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But he asked that the caregivers be given another chance, after being given written warnings.
Mthunzi denied they had tried to hide or destroy evidence.
“They bathed her because she was bleeding and they wanted to check where the bleeding was coming from. When they suspected that she might have been raped, they reported the incident and the necessary action was taken. The security guard was arrested the same day,” said Mthunzi.
“I am not sure why she (Mthethwa) is all out to destroy our name because the guard has been arrested, action against the car givers was taken and I went to her house and apologise about what happened,” said Mthunzi.
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In 2018 an 11-year-old, autistic boy who had been living at the home wandered away and was later found drowned in the next door swimming pool.
KwaDukuza police spokesperson Priya Nunkumar said they were investigating a case of rape and a 25-year-old suspect was arrested on Saturday night, July 24.
“The suspect appeared at KwaDukuza Magistrates Court on Monday, July 26. The matter is currently under investigation,” said Nunkumar.
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