The director of Orlando Children’s Home, Mirriam Mazibuko, is in hot water after allegedly covering up a rape case for more than six months.
The devastating revelation on the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl was made by social worker Joy Dlakavu, who was later dismissed on false grounds that the department of social development will not be funding her position after the end of the financial year.
Dlakavu said she had a meeting with the victim’s foster mother, who raised sexual assault suspicions, and they followed procedure and had medical tests done at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, which proved their suspicions true.
“As per procedure, I told the childcare worker about this and I was shocked to find that they knew about this since June last year. She told me that they had been trying to speak to the suspect for some time and also revealed that Mirriam [Mazibuko] knew about the matter too.
“I did not understand why the director of the children’s home and the childcare workers decided to be quiet about such a thing given that we have weekly meetings where incident reports are discussed.”
Dlakavu said the child told her a driver once caught her and the suspect in a garage used as a changing room for maintenance employees at the home. When approached, he confirmed and admitted to telling Mazibuko.
“This is when it all started, the ill-treatment and threats to end my job. Either way, we opened a case, the suspect was arrested and denied bail.”
Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed a rape case was registered at Orlando police station.
“The suspect is still in custody, and he is expected back in court on April 25 2023.”
He said charges of negligence might be added to some of the people for ignoring sexual assault under their care.
Attempts to reach Mazibuko and the department for comment drew a blank
