By Buziwe Nocuze
· Residents of Site B in Khayelitsha marched to Lingelethu West Police Station demanding that police open a rape case against a foster mother’s grandson.
· Police confirmed that an adult male has been arrested and will appear in the Khayelitsha court after being charged.
Khayelitsha Site B community members marched to Lingelethu West Police Station, demanding that a case be opened for an alleged rape incident involving a foster child.
Nokonwaba Makhungo, a 45-year-old resident, said the 20-year-old foster child was allegedly raped by the grandson of the foster mother.
“We were shocked to hear that the foster mother didn’t say anything after being told by the victim. It is a shame that we are in Women’s Month, but we still have women who are protecting the suspects,” said Makhungo.
The community is blaming the foster mother for not standing up for the girl she chose to raise.
“If the person who is supposed to protect the girl is not doing so, it is our duty as the community to get involved because that girl doesn’t have anyone to speak for her since she is a foster child. It is clear that the mother is protecting her grandson, well, we will protect the foster child,” said Makhungo.
The suspect had allegedly been attempting to rape the victim.
“We heard that last week, the suspect lied to the victim by taking her out. When they got out of the house, there was a vehicle waiting for them outside with two males. They got in the car, went to Delft, and when it was time, she asked where they were going,” said Makhungo.
The victim jumped out of the moving car.
She went home and reported the incident to the foster mother, who allegedly ordered her to go into a room.
“When she got inside the room, the suspect was there. She closed the door and allegedly started raping her,” said Makhungo.
Another resident, speaking anonymously, said the foster mother also needs to be arrested.
“Why did she not call her grandson when the foster child reported the incident to her? As a community, we want her to take responsibility, she failed the girl,” said the resident.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
“We can confirm that an adult male was arrested and will appear in the Khayelitsha court once he has been charged,” said Twigg.
Pictured above: Community protest at Lingelethu West Police Station
Image source: Buziwe Nocuze
