A 32-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday for the alleged sexual assault of his niece in Sonderwater after the intervention of school learners, the victim’s sister and the deputy principal of the school.
The suspect is believed to have been engaging in sexual activities with his 14-year-old niece since December last year.
The friends of the girl told the school’s deputy principal who then alerted the police and the sister confirmed the story.
According to Ikageng SAPS spokes-person, Const. Kelebogile Trom, the girl claims to be in love with her uncle and has agreed to be his second wife.
“The girl also claims the uncle’s wife and her family know about this arrangement,” she said.
Trom says it’s disturbing to see incidents like this during Child Protection Week. “Children should always be safe and their rights never violated.
“A minor cannot be allowed to en-gage in sexual activities or agree to be married or in a relationship with an adult. It is a violation of their rights and it’s a criminal offence to engage in sexual activities with a minor.
The police thank the deputy principal for acting swiftly and reporting the incident.
The community must not shy away from reporting such incidents for the well-being of minor children in our community,” she said.