By Theodorah Waga Mawasha
GA-MATIPANE-Mokwakwaila police have opened two cases of rape after a 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two of her neighbours this month, on two separate occasions, at Ga-Matipane village, Greater Letaba.
According to Mokwakwaila Police Communication Officer sgt Tinyiko Manganyi the two suspects aged 68 and 71 are good friends and neighbours to the victim.
“The victim is said to have confided in her school principal about the ordeal who then alerted the mother of the victim.The mother immediately took the matter to the police and subsequently, the pair was arrested” Said Sgt Manganyi
Allegedly, the first incident happened at the home of the 71 years old suspect on August 15. It is alleged further that, after doing the deed, the man gave the victim R5 in an attempt to silence her.
Five days later on August 20, the second accused allegedly forcefully took her to the nearby bushes, raped her and also gave her R5 to buy her silence.
The suspects were arrested on Wednesday, August 24 in the same village.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe condemned the crime in the strongest of terms.
“It is difficult to try to understand what these elderly men who were supposed to be trusted to act in this manner. Gender Based Violence remains a priority to the police and all efforts to eradicate this scourge in our communities are being made”, Hadebe said.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Bolobedu magistrate court on Friday , August 26.
