Image via: SAPS
SAPS members open their hearts to seven-year-old rape victim
The seven-year-old was repeatedly raped from January 2020 until June by three men. SAPS members were greatly affected by the girl’s ordeal.
Image via: SAPS
The horrific story of a seven-year-old girl who was raped in the Northern Cape has struck a chord with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Members have opened their hearts and have donated funds to purchase a food hamper, soft toys, blankets and sweets for the victim and her guardian in Kimberley.
SAPS MEMBERS HAND OVER HAMPER TO VICTIM AND GUARDIAN
Touched by the girl’s ordeal, female police members supported and accompanied by their male colleagues, visited the house of the guardian in whose care the little girl has been placed in, in Greenpoint, Kimberley.
“The victim has been sexually assaulted since January 2020 until June 2020 by three of her close male relatives who have since been arrested,” said Colonel Mashay Gamieldien.
According to the Provincial Head of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in the Northern Cape, Brigadier Nicky Mills, the trauma and suffering affected the members emotionally resulting in them reaching out to the victim.
Mills indicated that the police will assist the rape victim in obtaining a birth certificate from the Department of Home Affairs. He thanked “Group D for their generosity and big- headedness.”
“[It] is a clear display of our SAPS member’s commitment and dedication towards victims of gender-based violence,” he said.
Mills also warned perpetrators of sexual offences that the police will ensure they receive the full might of the law.
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL RAPED OVER SIX MONTHS
On 26 June, SAPS released a statement saying that a seven-year-old rape victim had come forward. Thereafter, a 60-year-old man — believed to be the girl’s stepfather — was arrested, as well as two other male members of the family.
The three men were accused of raping the girl repeatedly from January 2020 up until June 2020.
South African Police Service spokesperson Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba said:
“It is alleged the victim was abused since January 2020 until yesterday [25 June] when the ordeal was uncovered. Two other male suspects aged 29 and 30, who are the victim’s nephews, were also arrested for raping the victim also since January.”
“It has also been discovered by the doctor who performed a medical examination on the girl that she has been infected with sexually transmitted diseases.”
Ramatseba said the rape victim was transported to a safe place and was receiving the necessary assistance from the SAPS Northern Cape Forensic Social Workers.
