A 27-year-old man, accused of sexually abusing younger family members at Nyetse village in the North West, has been arrested, after an SABC probe.

It’s alleged the abuse has been taking place for years. It’s claimed the man’s nine-year-old niece has been sexually abused since the age of three.

Further allegations incriminate him raping his 11-year-old niece earlier this year in nearby bushes – and that his 12-year-old nephew was also a victim.

This started when the child was three-years-old and now the child is nine-years-old, meaning that he has been sleeping with this child for six-years.

And after this one was sent away, he then turned to the eleven year old one; but this girl was badly burnt on her tummy and private parts and while she was undergoing reconstructive surgery.

But the man continued to victimize, leading to more injuries to her private parts.She is now really badly damaged.

When the SABC contacted police this week – they said a warrant of arrest was issued for the perpetrator but that he was on the run.But community members pointed out the man – and later apprehended him themselves and handed him to the police.

Police spokesperson Captain Paul Ramaloko says, “We are the ones who succeeded to get a warrant against him. We were looking for him and the fact that the community managed to assist us in his arrest shouldn’t be something strange.

Because that is something that, when you look at the Criminal Procedure Act Section 42, it talks about the community involvement in the arrest. There are also some sections that say the community must be involved in the policing activity.”

The matter was brought to the fore, when a family member sought the help of a local non-profit organisation assisting rape victims.

Pelegi Movement’s Kentse Badirwang says, “The family we are visiting today [Friday] really touched my heart. Because I couldn’t sleep knowing how rape survivors suffer emotionally. I’m a rape survivor myself – I know the pain associated with this … I need urgent intervention.”

Authorities say more action will follow – once a court order to remove the children, has been obtained.

Social development spokesperson Petrus Siko says, “We have made necessary arrangements that these children will be referred to a child and youth care centre pending a court order.

Since the incident our social workers have done a lot of counselling to the family members except that the parents are denying the fact that this man has been abusing them. But the counselling will continue.”

Social development says the man, currently in police custody, will undergo psychological evaluation.

SABC