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A GALESHEWE family remains frustrated and accused the police of failing them after their five-year-old daughter was allegedly raped on November 1, 2022 . . . however there is still no case number nor have any arrests been made yet.
It is alleged that the suspect inserted his finger in her vagina and threatened to kill her if she tells anyone.
Apparently, the rape was confirmed through medical tests that the child had to undergo at the hospital, while statements were taken from the child, who identified the suspect.
The family complained that they are not getting any progress reports from the police on the case.
It is alleged that the suspect lured the victim and her three-year-old sibling away from home under the false pretence that he wanted to send them somewhere.
The victim’s mother said she noticed blood stains on the child’s underwear, and struggled to get the truth out of her, adding that the incident has left her child physically and emotionally scarred.
She is concerned after seeing the suspect walking past her shack on several occasions.
Following the incident, the suspect was apparently caught by an angry mob but was protected by members of Operation Hlasela from being assaulted.
He was reportedly handed over to the Galeshewe police, but was released that same night.
The incident has sparked outrage among members of the community, who have also demanded a progress report on the investigation.
The mother said on the day that the suspect was handed over to the police, her daughter was at the police station and froze in fear after hearing the name of the suspect being mentioned.
“She was very scared and could not speak. The investigating officer had to return to complete the statement at home a few days later,” she said.
“When I told the investigating officer of our fears and the fact that the child’s life was being threatened, she told me to go to the ward councillor, who is also the mayor of Sol Plaatje Municipality, to obtain the details of the suspect and request a restraining order.
“She even asked me several times why am I speaking to the media about the case. I told her that we are frustrated that there has been no progress and that we are afraid that the suspect might run away.
“We also questioned why this case was being handled differently to other rape cases. We did not get any response.
“I am very disappointed because she (the investigating officer) is a woman. She is arrogant and her superiors are refusing to see that.”
A member of Operation Tlhasela, Thuso Masitwe, also expressed disappointment in the manner in which the case is being handled.
A concerned member of the community, Herbert Miller, accused the police of playing “hide and seek with the lives of the vulnerable and denying them justice”.
He said the investigating officer went to the child three times to ask her whether she is sure that the accused had touched her.
“Why are they doing this to such a small child? Why are they trying to deny her justice? Are they punishing her in some way?
“When and how will they get DNA results if they did not do an arrest in time? That is why the number of unreported cases continues to rise.
“That is why the Northern Cape crime stats never makes sense, because the police cover them up,” he claimed.
He added that the police are making an excuse that the mother is interfering in the case by involving the media after they (the police) failed to do their job.
“This is gender-based violence and anyone has the freedom to use the media or social media platforms to express frustration if they want to. The incident is already of public interest.”
The police confirmed knowledge of the case, but refused to divulge any further details.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said the Galeshewe Family Violence, Children Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit has “instituted an enquiry following the alleged rape of a five-year-old victim on Tuesday, November 1 in Madiba Square, Galeshewe”.
“The police are at this stage not in a position to discuss the merits of the case with the media.
“However, the case docket is currently at the office of the State Prosecutor for a decision,” Sam said.