The recent alleged raping of an eight-year-old girl and 12-year-old girl sent ripples of anger through the community of Standerton in as much that the judicial system was questioned.
Some community members, dressed in black, attended a hearing at the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 15 January.
The names of the minors can not be published as to protect the interests of the children involved.
Names of the suspects can only be published once they have pleaded.
As regards the 12-year-old, her mother talked to a radio station about what had happened, divulging that it was a family member who violated her daughter on Christmas Day.
She walked into her child’s room and found the suspect with her daughter, police were called and the suspect was arrested.
According to information, it was not the first time it happened and the child is now about three weeks pregnant.
The mother said in the interview that she fears for the safety of her daughter and herself.
The suspect is out on R1 000 bail which did not sit well with those concerned.
A recent article in the Citizen published the views of a judge, making the claim that some regional magistrates don’t know the law around rape.
Advocacy group Judges Matter said that in a country beset by gender-based violence, a worrying number of magistrates appear to lack that basic knowledge as was transpired during interviews for regional posts.
South Africa’s legal system upholds the doctrine that you are innocent until proven guilty.
The Standerton Advertiser tried to contact the father on Friday, 17 January for an interview, but he was unavailable.
The suspect in the case of the eight-year-old is still in custody, has applied for legal representation and a bail application will be heard on 22 January.
The case of the 12-year-old will be heard on 3 February.
