Autistic child (6) raped in Harding
The suspect (37) was arrested by Harding Saps.
A 37-year-old man was recently arrested for allegedly raping a six-year-old child in KwaMachi Bhekene area in Harding under Umuziwabantu Municipality on July 1.
Port Shepstone police spokesperson, Captain Petros Mpinge told Fever that it is alleged that the child was playing in a neighbour’s yard when the incident happened.
Mpinge said the child’s mother went out to call her child from the suspect’s house after hearing the child cry. “She became suspicious and reported the incident to the Harding SAPS,” said Mpinge.
A family member who did not want to be named said the six-year-old suffers from autism. She added that after the incident they rushed the child to the nearest health facility where it was confirmed that they child was sexually abused.
Umuziwabantu Municipality mayor, Siboniso Zungu, told Fever that they find it very disturbing that a neighbour would do this to a child.
Zungu who is well-known for his activism against gender-based violence (GBV), said rape is a serious crime and they call on law enforcement authorities to leave no stone unturned until the perpetrator is brought to book.
“We understand the pain the victim and her family is going through right now. As a municipality, we are engaging the social cluster both locally and at district level to ensure that all the necessary support is offered to the victim and her family. We call on all communities and stakeholders of Umuziwabantu to rise up and fight for the protection of children’s rights and the creation of a safe environment for women and children,” said Zungu.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza, said the child has been destroyed for life and will take a long time to recover or forget what happened to her.
She also expressed shock and utter disgust that an old man raped a child.
Khoza said the act of rape and abuse of women and children should be condemned by all peace-loving people.
She added that such people don’t deserve to stay in our communities. “We call on the law enforcement agencies to ensure that such people are sent to prison and never return to our communities. Our social workers will always be with the children and family at all times to provide psycho-social support. We trust that police will do justice in investigating this case,” said Khoza.
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