The Izingolweni community is reeling from the news that four children, two girls and two boys, have reportedly been raped.
The girls, aged seven and nine, were apparently abused by their brother (19) at night while the family slept and by their step-father while their mother was away.
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This was discovered by social workers visiting their school as part of the KwaMthimude Tribal Authority’s social ills programme.
They were immediately taken to the Thuthuzela Care Centre in Port Shepstone where they were examined by doctors.
According to Inkosi Themba Mavundla from the KwaMthimude Tribal Authority, when the children told their mother about the abuse, she hit them and bathed them repeatedly to remove evidence.
“We are tired of the abuse of our children. Something needs to be done because every month there are cases of children being abused by people they trusted,” said an angry community member.
The community also called for the MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza to investigate the girls’ mother for child neglect and defeating the ends of justice.
Port Shepstone police spokesman Captain Petros Mpinge said the incident was being investigated.
“The girls have been taken to a place of safety. Currently the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit and the National Prosecuting Authority are awaiting the assistance of forensic social workers to finalise the investigation,” he said.
In the second incident, two boys, aged nine and 11, were sexually assaulted by a man who would lie in wait for them on their way home from school.
As they were afraid of the man, the boys at first told social workers they had not been raped, but further investigation revealed that the boys had been repeatedly abused.
Capt Mpinge added that both boys had been removed to a place of safety, and an arrest was expected soon.
Inkosi Mavundla said the number of rapes in his community was ‘shocking and disgraceful’.
“I have no place in my community for such sick people. The police should act fast because if we find them first we will take matters into our own hands. We can’t just fold our arms and watch our children’s future being destroyed.”
He also called for social workers to visit schools from time to time.
Ms Khoza said she was deeply disturbed by incidents of child rape in Izingolweni.
“The area needs special attention because child rape incidents seem to be recurring. Recently a man appeared in court for fathering his 17-year-old daughter’s child. There is something terribly wrong in the community because police are telling us that such cases are regular occurrence and we must do something to stop this violation of our children.”
The MEC said they would soon embark on a campaign to educate women and children in the area about their rights so that they can recognise when they are being violated.
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