The man who has since committed suicide killed his step-daughter last October after sexually molesting her on several occasions. Her mother who confirmed being aware of the incidents withdrew the cases reported at the Broadhurst Police Station saying: “I am a Christian and I believe that he was possessed by evil spirits”. The mother who was legally married to the man was also reported to have had a tendency of physically abusing her daughters. One of her daughter was raped on the way while allegedly fleeing from her mother’s abuse. Childline says they are still to meet to assess the girl who is a standard six pupil.
Barely a month after the burial of her daughter, her mother continued her quest in trying to withdraw the rape case. CID officer Gwabuya Pholoweni says that the mother has persistently pleaded with the investigating officer to withdraw the case on the grounds that she has reached an agreement with the perpetrator’s parents to forgive him.
“She was here last week and we refused to withdraw the case. She has delayed the case long enough. We told her that we are taking the case to court soon.” Pholoweni said that they could not charge her with obstruction of justice because she does not understand what is supposed to happen when there is a rape case against her minor daughter. “It is just ignorance and negligence on her part as a parent.”
He however said that it is not possible for the mother to refuse to give evidence in court on the matter, as she will be forced by the circumstances. Meanwhile, the date for the case is yet to be set by the Broadhurst Magistrate Court.
The names of the parents and the child in question have been withheld to protect the identity of the children who are minors.
