Lansdowne social intervention to support residents following child sex scandal
In response to the shocking revelation which has the community up in arms, WOW will embark on a social intervention in Lansdowne.
SHOCKED and angry.
These are the emotions that spurred in Patricia Dove, founder of Wentworth Organisation of Women (WOW), when she heard of the news of a ward candidate that had been implicated and charged for conspiracy to commit rape recently.
Police confirmed that the man is accused of asking a woman to arrange young children for him to have sexual relations with. In screenshots and voice notes, he and another woman allegedly arranged to have sex with a six, nine and 16-year-old.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said the case was opened at Wentworth SAPS but the docket was transferred to Brighton Beach FCS Unit for further investigation.
READ: ADeC ward candidate suspended over rape conspiracy with minors
“I only heard the news from my brother in Australia who had received the voicenotes. He sent them to me and asked whether I could recognise the young woman’s voice. I couldn’t make out who she was but I had two women identify the man’s voice. They shared that he frequented their home many times and was friends with one of their daughters. This incident has raised so many questions and concerns as this man interacted with children and the youth. I’ve worked on many family violence and abuse cases. Suspects of paedophilia are very often nice people,” said Patricia who works tirelessly on child and family welfare cases in Wentworth.
“Everyone was disgusted to hear the voicenotes. Apparently, the man is claiming that he was trying to catch the woman out and save the little girls. I don’t know her personally, but the woman is said to be involved in drugs and gangsterism in the area and is originally from Newlands East.”
READ: UPDATE: ADeC ward candidate shown the door pending sexual offence investigation
In response to the shocking revelation which has the community up in arms, WOW will embark on a social intervention in Lansdowne.
“We are going to get together to engage with the residents who have come forward and said they were worried for their children because the accused was reportedly very friendly with the children in the area. We want to address this matter and afford the families to express their concerns. We also have support from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College which has a centre where they help children who have been exposed to violence or different types of abuse. They are going to work with some of the affected children,” said Patricia who is also engaging with other organisations regarding the incident.
