Bonteheuwel residents protested in front of the house on Monday March 25.
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of children aged two to 13 years old in Bonteheuwel.
Circumstances about the alleged rapes are still being investigated, said head of Bishop Lavis visible policing Colonel Berket Mohamed, in the absence of the station’s spokeswoman Sergeant Samantha Adonis.
The boy, who is the uncle of the children, appeared in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday March 6, and the case was postponed to Thursday April 9.
The alleged rapist is being held at Pollsmoor Prison juvenile facility. Colonel Mohamed said nine children aged two to 13 lived in the home, six of whom were under foster care of their grandmother. It is not yet clear how many of the children were allegedly raped.
Colonel Mohamed said circumstances around the alleged rapes were still being investigated as it was difficult getting information from the minors. He said that the alleged rapes took place while the grandmother was sleeping.
“There was an argument between the daughter and son living on the premises and this thing came out during the argument. The daughter reported the cases. These things would take place while the grandmother was sleeping. What saddens me is that the social workers were supposed to do checks but it seemed that didn’t happen. The children were taken away by social workers. We don’t know yet what actually happened and how it took place. There’s talk about playing amongst them. There’s still many things we don’t know. They were taken for medical tests.
Bonteheuwel residents protested in front of the house on Monday March 25. Colonel Mohamed said if residents are suspicious about any activities at any home they must report it.
Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie said residents must stand united and speak up loudly. He warned residents to not engage in criminal activity.
“I want to commend SAPS Bishop Lavis for working with my office and the community in effectively dealing with the criminality attached to the case. While we commend the community for standing strong and standing up, I want to warn those minority of community members who are engaging in possible criminality as well. Breaking down a house, burning a house, vandalising private property is against the law, and as we have quickly ensured arrests in this case, we will not blink in arresting those wanting to destabilise this situation. SAPS are working with us, the results are evident, with the state agreeing with us that they will oppose bail. Don't make yourself a criminal through this process,” he said.
Speaking to Mr McKenzie in a video seen by the Athlone News, on Thursday March 28, the mother of the children said that the rapes took place for two years. She said she was unable to look after her children so her mother fostered the children. She said she visited the children but had no clue about what was allegedly happening.
“I want them to go to jail and I want my children with me, I am their mother. I am stable now. I feel broken inside. My son told me a year ago what was happening and I told his father but he said I was making trouble. No one believed me. The grandmother beat up my child after that and again when one of my other children woke up and saw the rape taking place and spoke up,” she said.
Anyone with information can call Bishop Lavis Police Station on 021 935 9803.