LIMPOPO – The community of Mokwakwaila outside Tzaneen has been shocked by the arrest of a pensioner on two counts of rape.
It is alleged the 72-year-old raped two children aged 14 and 15-years-old from Ga-Ramochinyani on various occasions since July this year.
According to a statement issued by LT. Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, the accused called the children to the local sports ground where he would sexually assault them. He allegedly gave them R50 each and warned them not to tell anyone of the encounter after each incident.
It is believed the children suffered the ordeal every week until one of them confided in her mother who alerted the police immediately and the pensioner was subsequently arrested.
Provincial Commissioner LT. General Nneke Ledwaba condemned crimes against children, especially sexually related offences, in the strongest terms possible.
The General also called on mothers to be aware of their children’s whereabouts at all times and to encourage their children disclose the activities of their day to ensure situations such as this are identified speedily.
“Parents must ensure that child safety comes first and they must always observe the movement of their minor children,” he said.
The General further voiced his disappoint with the accused, an elder in the community, committing such a heinous act.
The accused will appear before the Bolobedu Magistrate’s Court outside Tzaneen soon and police investigations are continuing.
