Mraca’s Teddy Run well supported

In response to the arrest of a Springs man alleged to have kept his wife and five children hostage in their home for a number of years, bikers from all over Gauteng and the community attended the Mad Rage Against Child Abuse Teddy Run (Mraca) on Saturday.

The event was held at Springs Old Boys’ Club.

Andries Ferreira, founder of Mraca, said the organisation stands to raise awareness around child abuse.

All the bikers arrived with soft toys held by either their passenger or in their waistcoats.

Money was raised and soft toys collected which will be donated to sexual assault clinics and to the Family Violence and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).

There are 23 specialised FCS units active all over Gauteng and Captain Hilda Johns from the provincial FCS displayed pictures of abused woman and children.

The display was housed in a private room. Johns commented that this was because “It is vital to have the display away from the other stalls, as children U/13 are not allowed, as a lot of the pictures are emotionally disturbing.”

While the Addie was not allowed to take photos of the displays, a viewing of these revealed horrific scenes of physical abuse to both children and adults – men and women alike.

Corné Labuschagne, Mrs Gauteng was a guest at Mraca and said the community must know that child abuse is a serious offence and it should not be kept a secret.

Shockwaves

The scene at a Springs man’s rental property, which has been dubbed the “House of Horrors” in some media, has sent shockwaves through the country and has raised eyebrows about the protection of children.

He appeared in the Springs Regional court briefly last Monday (May 26) when he was not asked to plead and requested a lawyer.

The 36-year-old man appeared in court for the second time last Wednesday when the prosecution, Leanie Hattingh asked for a continuance until Wednesday (June 4), stating that there are necessary reports (medical and other) outstanding, which might lead to additional charges being brought.

Hattingh also commented that the family need to consult with social workers and “other professionals” before the case can continue.

Magistrate Danita Oswell, agreed with the prosecution’s appeal for more time, commenting that the reports are necessary to determine whether charges will be added to or changed.

She agreed to reconvene the proceedings on Wednesday (June 4).

The bail application did not take place, the charges were not read to him.

He was remanded in custody in Springs until his appearance yesterday. The details of his bail hearing, his third court appearance, were not available at the time of going to print.