A man has been beaten up by residents in Gomorra informal settlement west of Pretoria for trying to rape his stepdaughter on Sunday.
Hercules police spokesperson Captain Bonginkosi Msimango said the man was badly hurt and taken to hospital for treatment. “He is still in hospital under police watch. When he is released, he will be charged with rape.”
The 17-year-old rape victim told Rekord her stepfather left their home with friends on Saturday and returned in the early hours of Sunday around 03:00. “I was asleep when he came back. He came to me and said he wanted to talk to me. He then told me he wanted to sleep with me. When I refused, he started beating me up and forced himself on me.”
She said she screamed for help and a neighbour heard the commotion. “The neighbour and my uncle came to the house, broke down the door and got me out. When they got me out, the residents started beating up my stepfather.”
The girl said her mother was in hospital at the time of the attack and this was not the first time her stepfather had forced himself on her. “I went to the police station to open a case and when I arrived there, my stepfather denied everything.”
Another resident at the informal settlement is taking care of the girl who is also receiving counselling.
Some residents viewed their opinion on what the stepfather had done to the girl.
Lerato Khota said she is disgusted by the man for taking advantage of the young girl because her mother is in hospital. She said the man probably forced himself on the girl because she is not his daughter.
Lilly Meintjies said the wished the police would lock the man up and throw away the key. If he did this cruel act he does not deserve to be let out because he will do it to more children out there.
Mpho Kgapola said he does not condone what the man did and feels sorry for the girl for what happened to her.
For more community news, like Rekord on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
