Man in court for rape of stepdaughter (11)

Mother withdrew earlier case, say cops

A 39-year-old father will appear in court today for allegedly raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter between 2016 and this year. According to a family member, the stepfather from Sekgweng village in Zebediela, Limpopo, allegedly started raping the grade 4 pupil when she was nine years old.

“In 2016, her mother noticed that she had been raped. She went to the police to open a case, which she later withdrew.

“I heard that the families got involved [in the rape matter] and it was resolved just like that,” said the relative.

She alleged the stepfather continued to rape the minor. Police spokesman Col Moatshe Ngoepe said it was alleged that the victim was repeatedly raped by the stepfather between 2016 and 2018. “The victim came to Moletlane satellite police station to report the matter last week. “The suspect was immediately arrested and he will appear in the local magistrate’s court on Monday [today].” According to the family member, the stepfather has two children with the mother. “We are shocked that a father can do that to his daughter. The fact that he married the mother he should treat the daughter as his too.” The mother and her 11-yearold daughter have been put in a place of safety and are under police protection.

When Sowetan visited their place of safety, the girl was playing with her siblings while her mother was cleaning the house.

Ngoepe said the mother was not allowed to speak to the media due to the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, a 74-year-old Limpopo man who allegedly raped a six-year-old girl will apply for bail in Lenyenye magistrate’s court on Thursday.

Police said the man, from Maake village, allegedly raped the minor and bought her silence with chips worth R3.