“Rape of children is increasing”

According to activists who have monitored the figures, five children are raped every day in the Western Cape province. A shocking 1,909 cases were reported to police between January and April this year alone.

Third quarter crime statistics released by Police Minister Bheki Cele in February showed that 4,783 suspects were arrested for crimes related to sexual offenses such as rape and attempted rape.

Crime activist Zona Morton said children were being targeted by sex offenders.

“The scourge of rape against children under the age of ten is bordering on a pandemic. At least five children are raped every day in the province,” she says.

“(There is) a specific case of a teenage girl who was repeatedly abducted and raped for ten months, while the serial rapist tattooed his name on her genitals and also abused her with a deodorant can.”

The attack occurred on April 23 and the perpetrator, a 37-year-old man who was on probation at the time, has yet to be arrested.

“This child molester was found guilty in 2007 and 2013 against his name.

“Why was he allowed to rape and torture another minor in less than 14 years since his first reported rape?” asks Morton.

Christina Nomdo, Commissioner for Children in the Western Cape, said poverty-stricken families where abuse and social ills flourished contributed to the figures: “The frontline services, such as the police and the child protection system in the Department of Social Development, must do their job well.” react when children are injured.

“Activists should hold communities and frontline services accountable to do their best work.”

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