Teen arrested for rape of four-year-old
Koketso Kgoboge | Wednesday November 28, 2018 15:00
According to the police, the young girl went playing with her age mates at the neighbour’s house where she was allegedly sexually assaulted.
The child’s aunt, who stays with her, noticed when she was bathing her that she had been penetrated. That was after she kept complaining of pain on the valva.
When quizzed by the aunt about who had tampered with her private parts the young girl pointed to the neighbour that she referred to as an uncle.
Palapye police station commander superintendent Waboraro Ramaja confirmed they have detained the juvenile suspect following the report. He said it was confirmed by medical practitioners that the child was penetrated.
He said they had sent samples from both the suspect and the victim to relevant authorities for further confirmation before the 18-year-old could appear before the Palapye Magistrate’s Court.
“We received a report from the aunt. She informed us that she had observed the child when she was bathing her. We took the child to the hospital for medical examinations and indeed it was confirmed that she had been penetrated,” he said.
“Necessary samples have been sent to relevant authorities to confirm if the suspect was indeed behind this unfortunate misdemeanour and then after we have ascertained ourselves he shall appear before the magistrate.”
Ramaja said the incident was not the first of its kind in his jurisdiction.
“Rape remains a problem in this region. This year we have recorded shocking numbers of rape cases for both adolescents and adults, and similar cases of sexual abuse of minors are a developing concern.”
He cautioned parents, particularly of girl children to ensure that the children play within their vicinity to prevent such cases.
“These days people are untrustworthy, if such can happen within the neighbourhood, then it calls for the parents to be extra cautious when a girl child plays outside the house.”
“These incidents are scars that don’t heal. The time has come that younger girls are monitored all the times, if it is unsafe at home then it cannot be safe outside,” said the police officer.