Custody battle for ‘abused’ orphan
THE family of the 10-year-old Verulam orphan allegedly raped 900 times by her stepfather is fighting for custody of the child.
Her aunt told POST that she would not let the girl go into foster care. “We are fighting hard for custody. She cannot and will not go into foster care. She is our family and she belongs with us.”
The girl’s mother died four years ago and her father last year.
When asked why the extended family had not tried to get custody sooner, the aunt said they were “threatened” by the accused.
“In 2014, we held a ceremony for her mom. It was then that he took the child away and refused to let us see her.”
She said he never allowed visits or calls and was always “abrupt”. “We tried visiting her at school but when he found out, he put a stop to it. We then approached Child Welfare about the situation and they said they would look into it but never came back to us.”
The aunt said the 70-year-old sister of the child’s grandmother, who is sickly, was also outraged about the alleged rape.
“She wants justice just like the rest of us. She did not come to court because of her age and her condition but is concerned about the child.”
The aunt revealed that they had initially avoided attending court proceedings to protect the child.
“We were asked not to come to court as it might have affected the case.”
She said the family were glad the suspect was refused bail.
The 43-year-old rape accused will spend the next few months at Westville Prison pending his trial after Verulam chief magistrate Irfaan Khalil refused bail on the basis that the man was found to be a threat to society, to the child and State witnesses.
“I think the accused is likely to harm the child should he receive bail. The likelihood of his public and security interference is not in the interests of justice.”
He also found him to be a flight risk as he had no identification that tied him to a particular area.
The stepfather, who was arrested last month, faces 10 charges, including rape, sexual grooming and sexual assault.
He is alleged to have held his stepdaughter captive in their home, using her as a sex slave.
He also allegedly prostituted her to other men to supplement his income.
The child remains in a place of safety.
Community members, meanwhile, were elated at the outcome, saying he deserved to “rot in jail” if convicted.
The case was adjourned to next month for further investigation.
Children’s rights activists from Bobbi Bear, Chatsworth Child Welfare, Phoenix Child Welfare and the Family and Marriage Society of SA have also welcomed the denial of bail verdict.