Aunt and uncle allegedly sexually abuse nieces in Bushbuckridge

The Mozambican consul for Mpumalanga and Limpopo is shocked at the news of two Mozambican minors reportedly raped by their uncle in Bushbuckridge.

“We learned of this case through the media. We are already in contact with the relevant authorities in order to locate the family in Mozambique and to obtain all the information that will allow us to evaluate the consular assistance to be given as well. We strongly condemn such incidents,” said Eugenio Langa, a Mozambican consul based in Mbombela.

On Monday a senior local government official (49) and his wife (36) appeared in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on charges of rape involving two minors aged between 13 and 15. According to Col Donald Mdhluli, the couple were arrested on April 23.

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Reports suggest that between 2019 and 2020, the two girls, cousins, were reportedly lured from Mozambique by their aunt under false pretences that they were going to receive a better education in South Africa. When they arrived in the country, they were allegedly subjected to rape as well as gross human violations.

According to allegations, the girls were literally kept as slaves at their aunt and uncle’s house at Shatale in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. Mdhluli said the aunt would force the girls each night to sleep with her husband.

“She would allegedly often excuse herself from the bedroom and when the girls refused to obey, they would be severely assaulted and starved. When the elder girl narrated the ordeal, she said one night she hid herself inside a wardrobe out of fear and for those few hours, she was at least safe. However, her freedom was short-lived as she was severely assaulted the next morning, and sadly no one came to her rescue.” The girls also alleged their family members in Mozambique were not aware of their ordeal. Their aunt allegedly personally monitored every phone call they made back home.

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The minors only managed to escape from the suspects’ home on April 23 while the suspects were away.

“They then got a chance to sneak out of the house and reported the matter to a good Samaritan who in turn alerted the police. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the girls were illegally brought into the country without proper documentations, hence an additional charge of contravention of the Immigration Act was added. The suspects are also facing a charge of human trafficking as well as conspiracy to commit crime,” added Mdhluli.

The police, in collaboration with the Department of Social Development, removed the children to a place of safety where they will receive all the necessary care.