Gang-raped girl gets R5
2009-12-08 08:06
Johannesburg - A 13-year-old girl from Piet Retief reportedly bought a loaf of bread for her brother and sister with the R5 given to her after allegedly being gang-raped by at least four men.
The incident took place the weekend before last at the girl's home on the outskirts of the town, while her parents were at home.
"Keep quiet and let them finish first," is what the mother of the girl apparently said to her when she called out for help.
The gang-rape sent shockwaves through the community, but nobody reported it. A resident of the Thandukukhanya suburb, who preferred to remain anonymous, said on Monday this is because they were afraid of the gang who raped the child.
Repeatedly raped
The girl has been repeatedly raped since last year, but the rapes were only reported when the girl was taken to a clinic by a concerned neighbour. The child's mother was arrested shortly thereafter. She has since been released on bail.
Meanwhile, child welfare officials have removed the three children from their parents' care.
Four of the suspected rapists, aged 21, 25, 34 and 40 respectively, were arrested on Thursday and Friday.
They appeared in court briefly on Monday and remain in custody, said police spokesperson Magonseni Nkosi.
A source close to the investigation confirmed that money had changed hands and that, in the last incident, the girl had apparently bought a loaf of bread for her much younger brother and sister.
A fifth suspect is still at large.