By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (31) is expected to appear at Brits Magistrate’s Court on Monday for allegedly raping his one-month baby girl. According to the North West police spokesperson, Captain Aaftje Botma, the infant’s mother (27) was busy preparing food outside the shack, while the father was sleeping inside with the baby next to him.
Botma said the incident took place at Krokodile Drift West, outside Brits. She further said the mother suddenly heard the baby crying and when she entered the shack, she noticed both the baby and the father naked.
“The shocked mother screamed for help and one of the neighbours responded. Eventually, the police were called and the baby was taken to Brits Hospital for medical examination, where she was subsequently admitted.
“The suspect was arrested and charged with rape. He is expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 23 October 2023, for rape,” added Botma.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, condemned this shocking incident in the strongest possible terms and applauded the police and the members of the community for their swift reaction that led to the arrest.
Meanwhile, the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West condemned the incident.
MRM convenor, Lesiba Kgwele said: “The civil society led organization described the shocking incident as a despicable and atrocious act. Such an unwarranted attack on a defenceless child at the hands of a father, who was supposed to love and protect her.
“This shows the extent to which moral decay has permeated our society. We shudder to imagine the physical, psychological, and lifelong trauma that the victim robbed of her innocence had to endure.”
Kgwele said they wish the hospitalized baby a speedy recovery and call for no bail for the perpetrator. He said the courts must restore confidence in the criminal justice system before communities, which are fed up with such deplorable acts, take matters into their own hands because there is no place in society for heartless and wicked individuals like him. He said that there is a limit to the extent to which communities can tolerate and handle such devastating acts of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) involving children.
“We urge communities to unite in action against the scourge of GBV. Family and community are core socialising units that inspire and create moral and ethical values in society hence the Moral Regeneration Movement’s Charter of Positive Values commits to fighting domestic violence and the neglect of family responsibilities, whether due to substance abuse, cultural beliefs or gender discrimination,” he underscored.
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