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'Rape is rape'
31/05/2007 14:37 - (SA)
Nkosana ka Makaula
Komatipoort - Two families agreed that a 10-year-old boy should be punished for raping a two-year-old girl.
But when the girl's father then whipped the boy with a belt, the boy's father thought the punishment was too severe and laid assault charges against him.
The girl's mother, in turn, reported the boy to the police for rape.
The punishment took place in Naas south of Malalane in Mpumalanga on Sunday, a day after the alleged rape.
The girl's father appeared in the Tonga magistrate's court on Monday and is out on warning. He will appear in court again on June 15.
It is not known as yet when the boy will appear for rape as counsellors have been asked to compile a report for the police first.
Constable Mzwandile Nyambi, said the rape took place on Saturday, when the two children were playing together in the yard.
"The boy was caught in the act and the two families got together and agreed to keep the incident under wraps and discipline the boy themselves. But when the boy's family thought the punishment was too severe, they came to the police," said Nyambi.
He warned families not to try settling such cases between themselves.
"Rape is rape, regardless of who the perpetrator is. All rape cases should be reported to the police or social workers, and should not be used as tools to cement social bonds," he said.
- African Eye
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