MOM WHO ‘ RAPED ’ SON She allegedly molested boy since he was seven 2

Strange case of a ...

A WOMAN who allegedly molested her son for 10 years appeared in court yesterday.

The woman, whose name cannot be revealed to protect her son, appeared briefly before magistrate Jan Greyvenstein in the Bloemfontein Regional Court.

She has been charged with rape, indecent assault and incest.

She allegedly started molesting her son when he was only seven years old. The boy is now 17.

The 51-year-old woman is currently in custody after she was denied bail earlier this year.

In court yesterday, she was joined by her husband, with whom she has two children.

The two appeared cosy and even shared a few jokes, with the husband laughing.

The case was postponed to August 1 for her to consult with her legal representation. She will also undergo psychiatric evaluation to determine her state of mind.

Her son’s misery only became known this year after a visit to a social worker. After their meeting, the social worker realised what was happening to the boy and the matter was reported to the police.

The woman was arrested in May. She is currently detained in Kim- berley, Northern Cape. Her son lives with his father. Advocate Nomthetho Gcingca, who successfully secured a conviction against taxi driver rapist Vuledzani Ramulifho, said it was not common for women to prey on their own children.

“It happens (that women) would rape children, but it is very rare.

“Also, what normally happens is that they would do that to other people ’ s children, not their own,” Gcingca said.

In June, Sowetan reported that the North West department of education had established that a teacher who was allegedly dating male pupils had done the same thing at her previous school.

Spokesman Brian Setswambung said on June 17 2004, a parent went to Sewagodimo Secondary School to warn Matilda Mekgwe, 51, to stop her alleged affair with her son.

Mekgwe denied the allegations. –