Alleged child rapist due in court

A man accused of kidnapping and raping a 12-year-old girl from Mamelodi is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Sunnyside police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela said the Grade 7 learner was reported missing from her home in Mamelodi in early September last year, Rekord East reported.

“According to reports, the girl left home to meet with friends at a recreational park just outside Silverton,” Mavimbela said.

“Instead, she made the acquaintance of a girl, who subsequently led her to a flat in Sunnyside, east of Pretoria, where both were to spend the night.”

Police were told that when the girl woke up the following morning, a man sat on the bed and her acquaintance gone.

“From that point on the 37-year-old man allegedly kept the young girl as his sex slave and raped her repeatedly,” he said.

“It is believed the man attempted to groom the victim into prostitution.”

The girl was apparently beaten for failing to attract clients for sexual favours.

She got her freedom when she was spotted by a passerby as she tried to escape.

“Though the man was not present at that time, he is said to have appeared on the scene. He unwillingly agreed to release the girl shortly thereafter,” said Mavimbela.

“The man was arrested in December year shortly after the matter was reported to the local police.”

The police’s family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit is investigating.

The case gathered the support of both the DA Women’s Network and the ANC Women’s League, as the two parties joined forces to demand bail be denied and supporting the girl’s family in court.

– Caxton News Service

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