The family of a Grade 6 learner who was allegedly raped by a friend’s relative, who kept her quiet for 11 months by threatening to kill her relatives, are calling for justice.
Relatives said the 11-year-old was allegedly raped for close to a year before the 21-year-old man was arrested on September 4.
Relatives said the accused was related to the victim’s friend and the alleged rapes occurred while the two were playing at his Vredendal home on the West Coast.
The girl’s aunt said the victim told them that the first time the alleged perpetrator had her water to drink and she then felt dizzy.
“She woke with the man on top of her. She said the suspect told her to not speak about it because he would kill her, her sister and her mother. She was so scared,” the aunt said.
She said the little girl finally opened up about the ordeal after her stepfather noticed that she was bleeding and sought medical attention.
“The child was taken to the hospital (and the doctor) told us that the rape had been going on for some time. I used to shout at this child for coming back home late at night when she went out with (her friend).”
The victim’s older sister said the family was devastated by what happened to her younger sibling and her fear of speaking out.
“I did not know how to face the situation. I spoke with her and told her that she should have spoken about it. But she said she did not say anything because the perpetrator threaten her,” she said.
Local ward councillor Sampi Tshabalala said he informed the police when the incident was brought to his attention and the perpetrator arrested at home.
“The case was opened after the report of the doctor and we kept on searching and (once) we got to where the perpetrator lived, I informed the police and the arrest was made,” he said.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said the Vredendal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit was investigating the case.
“A 21-year-old man has since been detained and has been remanded in custody,” he added.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the suspect was due in court this Tuesday.
The Vredendal family has called for justice.
Ilitha Labantu, an advocacy group for the rights of women and children, said they found ut about the case while responding to other incidents in that community.
“We are deeply concerned by the high rate of gender-based violence (GBV) and rape plaguing Vredendal. We are currently dealing with four different cases,” said spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali.
Western Cape Health spokesperson Mark van der Heever said in the first four months of the year, 214 boys and 1 505 girls under the age of 18 years were examined at the Thuthuzela Care Centres for sexual abuse.
MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen, urged residents to report rape and take note of the cases involving children, especially at school.
“The first quarter crime statistics, April to June, showed that two females under the age of 18 were raped on (school) premises,” he said.