WATCH: Community is fuming over rape of Seven-year old Rethabiseng girl
“These cases require all security agencies to confront child abuse head on and to ensure that there is conviction.”
A suspect arrested for the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl from Rethabiseng appeared in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on April 9.
The community of Rethabiseng, horrified by reports of the rape, marched to the courthouse and picketed outside the building.
The suspect’s arrest follows an incident that allegedly took place on April 7. According to the police report, the young victim who lives with her mother went to visit her father’s family.
“The child told her mother she was asleep when the suspect raped her,” said Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, district police spokesman.
The culprit allegedly threatened to be the little girl if she told anyone. A case was of rape opened at the police station.
The young victim knows her assailant.
@ridgetimesnews The community of Rethabiseng marched to the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court on April 9, and picketed outside seeking justice. #Evander #Secunda #eMbalenhle
In a public statement released on April 8, the Rethabiseng community in Region 7 of the City of Tshwane voiced how saddened they are about the attack.
“As South Africans, we are still reeling from the heartbreaking and shocking incident of rape against the seven-year-old that took place in Matatiele,” reads the statement.
At the time of going to print it was reported that the little girl from Rethabiseng was still in hospital, receiving medical attention.
More needs to be done to protect children said Mpumalanga’s MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, in a media statement issued on April 7.
This follows numerous reports of minors’ rape cases recently reported in different policing areas all over the country.
“The rising number of cases where children are violated in various parts of the province is a grave cause for concern, and it suggests that more needs to be done to better protect minors,” said Macie.
Macie said that these heinous crimes against children must be tackled head-on, and the police should do their part by thoroughly investigating these cases to make it impossible for perpetrators to go unpunished.
“These cases require all security agencies to confront child abuse head-on and to ensure that there is conviction. We are also appealing to parents and guardians to be vigilant and always know the whereabouts of their children,” Macie continued.
Macie further calls for security agencies to treat all cases of sexual abuse the same regardless of the prominence some cases may receive.
He also calls for adequate support to be provided to victims and survivors whose lives have been changed by these barbaric acts.
Macie also calls on those who witness abuse to come forward and testify, as this will assist in the successful conviction of perpetrators.
The alleged rapist from Rethabiseng will again appear in court on April 15.
