Girl (5) hospitalised after rape

Local ANC ward councillor Langa Langa is calling on the George community to come in their numbers to picket outside the George Magistrate's Court next Tuesday 14 November when a suspect accused of raping a 5-yearold girl will apply for bail. "We must all get together so that this man cannot be released on bail and show that we condemn the victimisation of children. This man does not belong in society, he is an animal."

The 5-year-old girl from Thembalethu was released from hospital on Tuesday after she was raped late Sunday afternoon, 5 November, allegedly by her neighbour.

The mother of the little girl went looking for her when she could not find her playing in front of the house. As she went round the back she saw the suspect (36) dressing himself and her daughter, who was naked. She called her husband and the little girl told her parents that the suspect had hurt her.

Capt Malcolm Pojie, the Southern Cape Police spokesperson, confirmed the incident. He said the girl was taken to hospital where she underwent an operation. "The suspect was arrested later the same day and appeared in court on Tuesday. The case was postponed to 14 November," he said.

In Protea Park on Saturday afternoon a woman (21) was assaulted by her boyfriend (24) in the street and taken to a house nearby where he allegedly brutally raped her. The victim sustained severe injuries to her private parts and it is unclear at this stage if an object was also used to cause the injuries. Yesterday morning the police could not confirm if the victim was still in hospital.

"After the incident on Saturday around 16:45, she was taken to hospital by ambulance with severe bleeding and underwent surgery," said Pojie.

The suspect will make his second appearance in court next Tuesday 14 November for a bail application.