Dad arrested for rape

A PINETOWN family has been reeling from shock after a seven-year-old (Zoe*), accused her father (30) of repeatedly raping her, since last year.

According to the 29-year-old mother, her daughter spoke out regarding the sexual abuse on Friday evening, 8 August.

“Zoe had been crying profusely since I fetched her from school that afternoon. I kept asking her what was wrong, but she was afraid to tell me.

“I told her that I would only be able to help her, if she told me what was wrong, and that was when she told me everything. I was shocked , devastated and angry. I just hugged her tight and told her that it was not her fault,” said the mother.

Zoe, the oldest of two siblings, was taken to RK Khan hospital on Saturday, 9 August where the district surgeon confirmed the sexual trauma.

Her grandmother told the Highway Mail that Zoe has been struggling to cope with the trauma.

“She has nightmares, and wakes up screaming,” said the grandmother.

A family friend also said that Zoe’s mother blames herself , and has also been struggling to come to terms with the news. She hasn’t eaten or slept properly in days,” she said.

“I should have seen the signs, but it is something unfathomable. She is a baby, who deserved to be protected. It is exceptionally painful to watch your child suffer so much. He has destroyed my daughter’s life and our family,” said the mother.

Pinetown SAPS communications officer, Lt Bongumusa Manqele, confirmed that the father had been arrested by the Pinetown SAPS, and that he has been charged with rape.

He appeared at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday 11 August, and is expected to appear again on Monday 18 August for his formal bail hearing.

“He handed himself over to the police on Saturday. He has remained in police custody,” said Manqele.

*Name has been changed to protect her identity.