WATCH: Neighbours rally behind rape victim
Tsakane - Residents of Extension 15 came out in numbers to support a rape victim with hopes the alleged perpetrator will be denied bail.
Resident Sibongile Phasha says she is furious about how the young girl’s situation has been ignored for years.
“This child said she reported the abuse to adults she trusted, but no one helped her.
“Instead they told her to keep quite.”
Phasha explains the child eventually got help through her school.
“We are fighting for her because she has been left to suffer all alone.
“We should be ashamed.”
Another resident, Ethel Mqoqi, says it hurts her so much to imagine the horror the young girl has endured.
“The worst part is there were people who knew this was happening.
“Why aren’t those people arrested, because they were accomplices?”
Phillip Nyalunga came out in support to prove there are many good men in the community.
“I don’t want to understand how a grown man can look at a child and desire her in that way!”
Nyalunga says he resents the fact such events put all men in a negative light.
“I hate him (the accused).”
The residents say if the alleged rape perpetrator gets bail they will not welcome him back into the community.
“In fact, we will deal with him!” added Phasha.
The accused appeared in the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court.
Sergent Lerato Mngomezulu, of the SAPS, could not comment as the docket was not available to her at the time of publishing.
The court referred African Reporter to the Department of Public Prosecutions, in Pretoria, who then referred the newspaper to the national office.
