The father of a four-year-old girl who was rescued from a possible rape incident speaks out about the ordeal.
The father, who would not be named to protect the identity of the child, is from Honeydew Plot 52 and claimed that the man who wanted to rape his child escaped freely from facing justice.
The alleged would-be-rapist apparently went to the toilet with the child. He was allegedly caught while undoing his pants in the toilet. If it were not for the people who went to knock at the toilet door, the child would have probably been raped.
The man has since disappeared.
The four-year-old child was left in the care of the father’s elder brother as both parents were at work.
This incident was reported to the Honeydew committee members and it was insisted that the father should pay the person who rescued the child. “I was forced to pay the money. Imagine if he would have raped her,” he said.
He further explained that it was shocking and he feared for his child’s safety. “It is strange that there were people inside the yard who could have caught the perpetrator but they let him go,” he said.
Another father who stays in the same area said that police were called on that evening but did not arrive until midnight.
Martin Maphanga said children were not safe and community members were not willing to work together to bring criminals to book. “It was lucky that residents managed to rescue the child,” he explained.
Honeydew Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs confirmed that a case was opened at the station and was being investigated by the Honeydew Cluster Family Child Sexual Offences Unit.
She appealed to members of the public to call the station’s operational room directly on 011 801 8613, or alternatively 10111.
“A follow-up investigation with regards to the alleged poor reaction time will be conducted to establish the facts. Our reports shows that the complaint was received and attend to by our sector vehicle,” WO Jacobs explained.
She further requested parents to refrain from leaving their children unattended or without proper supervision at any time, especially after dark.
“Parents are also advised to educate their children on the dangers of strangers and that they must not allow anyone to touch them inappropriately,” she concluded.
Details: Honeydew Police, 011 801 8613 or 011 801 8614.
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