Stepdad accused of rape
2008-05-08 13:03
Lebowakgomo - A man has been accused of raping his teenage stepdaughter and threatening to cut her head off with a panga.
The 14-year-old girl was raped in Mamaolo village near Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, on March 20 while her mother was attending an overnight church service.
"The girl was woken up and told to prepare food. While she was busy, she was confronted with a panga and threatened with decapitation unless she had sex," said Inspector Manong Tshehla on Wednesday.
Her 41-year-old stepfather was arrested on Monday after the girl told her mother on Sunday that she had been raped and threatened with murder.
The suspect was not asked to plead to rape when he appeared in the Thabamoopo Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
He was remanded in custody and the case was postponed to May 13 when he will formally apply for bail.
He has asked for free legal assistance.
Inspector Tshehla said the incident was an embarrassment and went against African culture.
"We view this as an embarrassment and a shame because young children look to their guardians for protection," he said.