‘Mantoetse Maama
A QACHA’S Nek man accused of raping his seven-year-old niece on numerous occasions, was remanded in custody when he appeared before the local magistrate’s court on Friday last week.
The 44-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday after the police had received a tip-off from neighbours about the alleged abuse.
According to Qacha’s Nek District Commissioner of Police, Senior Superintendent Hlalele Rampai, the alleged victim had told friends and neighbours about the sexual encounters with her uncle, leading to the arrest.
“This 44-year-old man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting his seven-year-old niece on several occasions,” Senior Superintendent Rampai said.
“The suspect is a maternal uncle to the victim, and had lived with the girl since she was about two years old.”
Police investigations have revealed the mother of the girl had said she was going to look for a job in Matatiele, South Africa, when she left and never came back.
“The suspect had been taking care of the girl since that tender age but unfortunately, on Wednesday (27 August), neighbours discovered that the man had been sexually assaulting the poor girl for some time,” he said.
“When the neighbours asked her after noticing she was not walking properly, the girl innocently responded that her uncle was having sex with her, and that initially, it had been painful but now she was actually enjoying it.
“When neighbours examined the child , they realised that the she was telling them the truth and the doctor also confirmed the sexual abuse, leading to the man’s arrest.”
The suspect, Senior Superintendent Rampai said, appeared in court on Friday and was remanded in custody, until his next court appearance on 12 September.
“The girl has been put under the care of the police until she is placed under a proper child-care facility. The suspect’s next appearance in court will be on 12 September.”
Senior Superintendent Rampai pleaded with community members not to allow single men to stay with female children, no-matter the relationship.
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