Two elderly neighbours aged 68 and 71, are set to appear at the Bolobedu magistrate court in Limpopo on Friday 26 August 2022 for allegedly raping a 12-year-old child on different occasions and silencing her with a R5 coin.
The child was allegedly raped on different occasions in August at Ga-Matipane village under Mokwakwaila policing area.
According to police, the two suspects, reportedly friends and the victim’s neighbours, were arrested on Wednesday 24 August 2022 by the FCS unit, after the victim’s mother opened the cases at Mokwakwaila Police Station.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the mother reportedly learnt about the horrendous incidents after the victim opened up to the principal at her school. Police were immediately notified and two cases of rape were opened.
Mojapelo said police nvestigations revealed that the 12-year-old was first raped on 15 August 2022 by the 71-year-old suspect at his homestead who theafter gave her a R5 coin and told her not to tell anyone. The victim was raped again five days later on the 20th in the nearby bushes by the 68-year-old suspect. The suspect also gave her a R5 coin.
Limpopo Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said it is very difficult to comprehend what led these elderly men, who should be trusted, to take advantage of a vulnerable child in this manner.
The two neighbours will face charges of rape. Police investigations are continuing. (TheSouthAfrican)