9-year-old girl raped by her 36-year-old uncle

The accused is uncle to the 32-year-old mother of the Tumasera Primary School standard four pupil. It is suspected that a week ago, the accused who resides not far from the homestead of the minor called her inside his house after seeing her play with a group of other children in an open space. He proceeded to defile her and once done, the man released her from his house to go out and play. However, the child got overwhelmed by emotions and burst into tears when she approached her friends. Her friends did not make much out of her cries and continued playing. Days passed with the minor struggling with what had happened until early this week when the minor’s mother came back home. She had been away and had left her child in the care of relatives. The minor allegedly told the mother what happened and when other children were questioned about what had happened that day, they told of how the man had locked himself inside the house with the nine year old and when she came out, she was in tears. The matter was reported to the police this past Monday. “We have received the report and are investigating it,” Martin’s Drift Station Commander, Moses Morolong confirmed. He added that they arrested the suspect on Monday and will be taken to court sometime this week. He also said the child will be undergoing medical tests and provided with counseling because she is visibly traumatised. The police boss went on to say rape and defilement cases are issues of concern in the Tswapong area because parents usually leave their children with relatives during ploughing season. He advised parents and guardians to guard against child abuse.