Granddaughter traumatised after rape incident

WHILE other children enjoy the innocence of childhood, the 12-year-old girl who was reportedly raped by her grandparents in eManguzi last week is totally traumatised after the ordeal.

This was revealed by her distraught aunt and legal guardian on Tuesday.

She said her adopted daughter is not only ‘broken’ but is now ruled by fear and suffering nightmares.

‘She doesn’t even want to go outside anymore. She hasn’t been in school because she is afraid.

‘When she sees a male person she bursts into tears and runs away. She will never be the same,’ she said.

The young girl is said to have been raped by her grandfather while the grandmother held her down.

Reports suggest they were interrupted when a visitor came into the house after which a case of rape was opened at Manguzi SAPS and transferred to the FCS unit.

Shotha Mathambo and HluphekileNdlazi were arrested but only spent one night in police custody.

They were released after their appearance at Manguzi Magistrates Court and according to police the case was not enrolled by the court prosecutor.

A week after the incident happened, the aunt said she is seeking justice for what happened.

She said she adopted the girl after her sister died and then asked the elderly couple to accommodate the child.

‘I work as a street vendor and I wanted her to be closer to her school. I trusted the elderly couple with my daughter because we have known each other for years.

‘Even though we are not blood relatives, they were parents to my late sister and me. Because they shared a surname with my sister, they welcomed us with open arms when we first came to the area. There is nothing we wouldn’t do for them as we were a family,’ she said.

The victim is currently being monitored by her aunt and guardian who said she is still on medication to prevent her from possible infections.