A seven-year-old girl from the Northern Cape is being treated for sexually transmitted diseases after repeated rapes over a six-month period.
The girl’s stepfather, 60, and two of his family members were arrested on Friday for the rape.
It is alleged that the little girl has been repeatedly raped from January this year until Thursday, June 25, when it came to light.
The crime happened on a farm between Kimberley and Bloemfontein.
Brig. Police spokesman Mohale Ramatseba said the other two men, aged 29 and 30, were relatives of the stepfather and were also arrested following a tip from the community.
“The doctor who examined the victim found she had sexually transmitted diseases among members.”
She is now in a place of safety and receives the necessary care from the Northern Cape forensic social workers, Ramatseba says.
Police Minister Bheki Cele praised the members of the Kimberley Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offenses Unit that they assured the suspects were arrested for having full authority over the law.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Brig. Nicky Mills, head of the unit, says any bail application will be strongly opposed.
Meanwhile, a 32-year-old suspected rapist of a 72-year-old blind woman was arrested on Thursday.
Ramatseba said the alleged rape happened on Tuesday in the woman’s home in Siyathemba after the man allegedly engaged in a violent quarrel with his girlfriend, the woman’s granddaughter.
