Man in court for raping kids

2005-03-10 13:00

Bethlehem - A 32-year-old man appeared in Ladybrand magistrate's court on Thursday on three charges of rape and one of attempting to rape a child, said eastern Free State police.

Constable Christopher Mophiring said the man was arrested on Wednesday.

He said the rapes allegedly occurred between August and December last year when three sisters between the ages of six and nine were living with the man, their uncle, near Manyatseng and Ladybrand.

The fourth child, a neighbour, was also living at the house at the time of the alleged crimes.

Mophiring said during December 2004, a seven-year-old boy noticed the girl's uncle apparently sexually abusing one of them.

Parents approach police

The young boy reported the incident to a neighbour who informed the girls' parents about the rape.

Mophiring said: "It is further alleged that one of the girls complained of the pains.

"That is when one of the parents approached the police to open a case."

He said the four girls were taken to a doctor who confirmed that three of them had been raped.

The case was postponed until March 17 for a bail application.

- SAPA