Man accused of raping nine-month-old baby
The man was arrested just two days later and while police are awaiting DNA results to confirm that it was indeed him, who raped her, it has been confirmed that the baby was penetrated.
The alleged inhumane and sickening actions of a 42-year-old man have left residents of the Bottlebrush Informal Settlement in shock after he was recently accused of raping a nine-month-old baby girl.
The man, who is a close relative of the family, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court in March where he was granted bail to the amount of R4, 000 against the investigating officer’s and the mother’s wishes.
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The mother of the child reportedly left the baby with her mother on that fateful day. It is alleged that while the grandmother left their shack to dispose of water at an outside toilet, the man took his chance to rape the child.
It was only when the child’s mother returned home and changed her diaper did she realise that something had happened to her baby as she found blood on her vagina.
The man was arrested just two days later and while police are awaiting DNA results to confirm that it was indeed him, who raped her, it has been confirmed that the baby was penetrated.
The communications officer of Chatsworth SAPS, Cpt Cheryl Pillay, confirmed that a case of rape was reported at the Chatsworth police station on March 14.
“It is alleged that a nine-month-old baby was allegedly raped at a home in the Bottlebrush Informal Settlement. On March 15, the 43-year-old accused was arrested by the Chatsworth FCS Unit. He thereafter appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court. The accused was released on bail until his next appearance on May 4,” explained Cpt Pillay.
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Executive member of Child Welfare, Sharm Maharaj, conveyed his disgust at the alleged actions of the accused, labelling the incident as a tragedy for the baby girl.
“We deal with children and women at risk and this is a case, which is shocking- it is despicable. In such a case, the legal and justice system needs to take swift action and incarcerate this man. Nowadays, people are getting off far too easily on bail. In these situations, bail should be denied and these individuals should remain in prison until their innocence is proven. However, this is not the case and as such, I believe that the justice system needs to be overhauled because this is a tragedy. What happens to the child now? She may not remember the incident, but the scars will remain. A quick but thorough investigation must be conducted. Rape is getting out of hand recently, despite years of gender-based violence initiatives, so something else must be done. Additionally, these are just the rape cases, which are reported. Many people fear discrimination, and shame and will end up blaming themselves for what has happened,” explained Maharaj.
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