Kamogelo Muvhenzhe
How much does it cost to pretend that the rape of a nine-year-old child didn’t happen?
When a rape case against the son of a well-known mashonisa in the Tshilwavhusiku area was reported, the two police officers saw an opportunity to make a quick buck.
Instead of upholding the law and arresting the 23-year-old man for the alleged rape, the officers suggested that his mother, who is the loan shark, pay the victim’s mother to make the case disappear.
The loan shark allegedly gave the officers R8,000 for the victim’s mother and R1,000 for their part, which they shared between them.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the rape of a nine-year-old girl allegedly took place on 22 May and was reported on 27 May.
The two officers stationed at Tshilwavhusiku in Vhembe then drove the victim’s mother to the suspect’s house where the money was paid.
Mojapelo said the suspects returned to the police station and made a statement indicating that the victim’s mother does not wish to continue with the rape case and then destroyed the unregistered docket.
The cops, Sergeant Netshiendeulu Mudzhiwa Adolphus and Mafelatshuma Allen Makananisa, were exposed when an officer from Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences demanded the docket to further investigate the case and it was nowhere to be found.
“He traced the mother of the victim who told the police what their colleagues did. The mother was still in possession of the bribe money,” said Mojapelo.
The suspects were arrested in Louis Trichardt by the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit on Sunday and the rape case was reopened.
Mojapelo said the cops, aged 40 and 48, appeared in the Polokwane organised crimes court and were each granted bail set at R2,000.
Their case was postponed until 28 June 2021 for further police investigations.
The suspect in the rape case has also been arrested.
Image source: @SAPoliceService
