A 19-year-old man accused of sexually abusing his eight-year-old and 12-year-old nieces was arrested in Brits, North West, this week.
The arrest happened more than a month after the 12-year-old made a chilling disclosure at school that her uncle sometimes sleeps with her and her sibling in the same bed and touches them.
Found sobbing outside of class during school hours on March 8, the grade 4 pupil found the courage to open up to a representative of a non-profit organisation (NPO) that her uncle allegedly does “stout” (naughty) things to her. She said he allegedly opened her thighs and when she cried, he hit her.
The girl also alleged that her uncle is now doing the same to her younger sister, sometimes even sharing a bed with both siblings and touching them inappropriately.
North West education spokesperson Elias Malindi confirmed that the acting principal at the school was alerted to a case of possible sexual abuse.
He said the acting principal visited the home of the children and thereafter reported the matter to a social worker.
It is understood that the children live with the uncle and their six-year-old brother, who also attends the same school. Their mother stays with her partner in the same area, according to information received.
There were concerns at school about the wellbeing of the children in late February.
The representatives of the NPO were worried because the children were unkempt, arrived hungry and were often late for school.
The NPO representative reported to the principal that the eight-year-old slept in class, used vulgar language and would often sit down on the way to school, saying she was tired and in pain.
“On one occasion, one of the teachers had to fetch the eight-year-old when her siblings arrived at school without her. When she inquired where the sister was, the eldest of the siblings told her that they had left her on the way because she said she was tired and refused to move,” said one of the workers at the NPO.
The 12-year-old also alleged that the abuse started when they were living in Limpopo, before they relocated to North West about two years ago, said one of the representatives of the NPO. The girl said the uncle later joined them in North West and the alleged abuse resumed.
The suspect appeared at Ga-Rankuwa magistrates’ court for rape on April 15 and the case was postponed to Tuesday, April 23.
The children were placed in a place of safety and were later transferred to a children’s home on April 18.
North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that the suspect was arrested and charged with two counts of rape.
“The accused is facing two counts of sexual assault (rape). He appeared in the Ga-Rankuwa magistrates’ court. The case was postponed until April 23 for formal bail application,” he said.
