Girl (10) survives brutal rape and stabbing
Local community rallies to help 10-year-old who was brutally raped and stabbed 47 times in her home near Botha's Hill.
A 10-YEAR-OLD girl from a Inchanga is fighting for her life after she was allegedly raped and stabbed 47 times, causing her intestines to hang out of her body.
As the country commemorates 16 Days of Activism for No violence against Women and Children, eThekwini Municipality’s mayor, James Nxumalo, visited the girl at RK Khan Hospital earlier today (Wednesday, 3 December).
Kelly Kidgell, the creator and administrator of the Upper Highway Buy Swap and Sell Facebook group, that has about 17 500 members, said she decided to use the power of social media to try and raise funds for the girl and her family, who live in a small, dilapidated house. Spearheading the collection and fundraiser is non-profit organisation, Lionsraw’s Ruth Duma.
About two weeks ago the girl was allegedly raped by a man who broke into their home. The family’s liaison, Carey Tonkin, said they told her the girl’s attacker dragged her little body (that was stabbed 47 times, with such force that her intestines hung outside her body) out a window and left her for dead not far from her home. The alleged rapist has not been arrested as yet.
“She is currently at a government hospital in Durban, but we would love to have her moved to a private hospital. She is in a critical condition and is still on a ventilator, taking just a few breaths on her own at a time. This week she opened her eyes for the first time. Tears rolled down her face and haven’t stopped. She’s had surgery to repair her wounds, but she is tube fed. It will be a long road to recovery physically. Mentally even longer,” Kidgell said.
“Her parents are devastated and terrified. The mom cries a lot, but will receive counselling thanks to the Jess Foord Foundation. They can’t afford taxi fare to and from the hospital, which is R72 per person per visit.
“She stays at home with her parents and two older siblings, a brother aged 13, and a sister in her mid 20’s. The older sister also has four children living in the home. Both parents are currently unemployed. The home is only partially roofed and they have no fridge or stove. We wish we could relocate the family. Despite the challenges at home, she is an A-aggregate pupil at a school in Inchanga.
“We asked the social media audience to raise funds for taxi fare for her parents and food for the household. Through the Facebook page we’ve had a bunk bed sponsored by Quirky Queens as well as roofing for the house and other commodities like food and clothes. There are amazing people in the Highway area,” Kidgell said.
Lionsraw also appealed for foodstuff such as canned food, sugar, maize meal, oil, rice, tea, soup mixes, juice, toilet paper, soap, soap to wash clothes, peanut butter and jam. Any other donations are also welcome.
To donate, email ruth.duma@lionsraw.org, Kelly on 084 245 6169 or Annie on 079 809 2154.
- Lionsraw South Africa builds on the work of the 2010 Legacy Tour during which 150 soccer fans visited Durban during the world cup. Over two weeks the team successfully delivered four building projects and seven soccer schools that were attended by more than 1000 local children.
- Lionsraw South Africa’s mission is to create chances for change for children in Durban. Its focus is on the Valley of 1000 Hills region. The organisation works in children’s homes and primary schools.
- Work continues on the primary school construction in the Valley of 1000 Hills, which was started during the 2010 Legacy Tour. The primary school currently educates 400 children and provides them with breakfast.
