Baby rape: 'Not first time'

2003-10-15 08:06

Ziegfried Ekron

Cape Town - Nine-month-old Baby M, who is still being treated in hospital after her horror rape, was allegedly not her rapist's first child victim.

Her family, who have known the man who was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the rape for years, claimed he was released from prison last year after serving an eight-year sentence for the rape of a minor.

Senior superintendent Jan Swart, head of the police's child protection unit in the eastern metro, said the unit was trying to establish, through fingerprints, whether the accused had committed sexual offences before.

"I cannot confirm such allegations until they have been proven in court," said Swart.

People in the Blue Downs court's public gallery audibly caught their breaths when the rape survivor's age was mentioned for the first time. Some repeated the words in disbelief: "A nine-month-old baby!"

Girlfriend insists he is innocent

The 35-year-old accused, dressed in an old grey jersey, denim trousers and red shoes, turned around and glared at them.

He declined legal aid and said he would appoint his own lawyer. "I just want to get out of here as soon as possible," he said.

The two grandmothers of Baby M (she may not be identified for legal reasons) left the court in tears.

Outside court, a woman, who identified herself as the accused's girlfriend, insisted he was innocent.

Baby M's devastated father admitted on Tuesday that he knew the man well.

"I cannot believe that he did this to my child. I still cry when I talk about it. Why did he have to rape my child when he has his own girlfriend?"

Baby M is being treated at Tygerberg Hospital where she is in the care of social workers. Her father, who is sickly, has not been able to visit her.

The Kalkfontein community forum and Baby M's family said on Tuesday they would march to the court on October 23, when the case will be heard again, to ensure that justice was served.

- Die Burger