North West father appears in court for raping one-month-old daughter, interpreter needed

The case against a 31-year-old man accused of raping his one-month-old baby has been postponed for an interpreter.

The Malawian national, who does not speak English, appeared in the Brits Magistrates Court on Monday.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the man will be back in court on the 3rd of November.

The man, who has not been named until he is charged, was handcuffed last Thursday for the alleged rape of the baby girl in Krokedile Drift West, Brits.

Arrest

Police spokesperson Captain Aafje Botma said the baby’s mother was preparing food when the man pounced on the baby.

“According to reports, the infant’s mother, aged 27, was busy preparing food outside the shack while the father was sleeping inside with the baby next to him. The mother suddenly heard the baby crying and noticed when she entered that something was wrong as the father and the baby were undressed.

“The amazed mother screamed for help, and one of the neighbours responded and eventually called the police. The baby was taken to Brits Hospital for a medical examination and subsequently admitted. The suspect was arrested and is expected to appear in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 23 October 2023, for rape,” Bothma said.

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Bothma said the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, condemned the heinous incident in the strongest possible terms, calling it “shocking.”

“He applauded the police and members of the community for their swift reaction that led to the arrest,” Bothma said.

Rape

Earlier this month, a Mozambican national was sentenced to life in prison for raping a 12-year-old girl in the North West province.

The 54-year-old man appeared in the Phokeng Magistrates’ Court, where his sentence was handed down.

NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame said Uchaio was renting a shack at Freedom Park, near Tlhabane, when the rape took place.

ALSO READ: Man sentenced to life for raping 12-year-old girl