Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene commended the swift investigation by the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Peddie that has led to the arrest of a 53-year-old man for the alleged rape and abuse of his eight-year-old son.
It is alleged that on 31 May 2023, police were alerted of the maltreatment and abuse by community members of the child being cuffed and chained at his house at Mgababa Village outside Peddie.
When police arrived at the house, they found the child alone and cuffed with a chain.
He was freed and taken for medical treatment and to a place of safety.
The father has since been on the run and police were on the hunt for him.
On Sunday, 4 June 2023, the investigating officer traced the suspect to a relative’s house in NU11 in Motherwell in Gqeberha. He was arrested and is detained on charges of rape and child neglect.
He will appear in the Peddie Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 6 June 2023.
Lt Gen Mene on hearing of the incident, expressed her shock and sadness at the inhumane treatment of the young child.’ It is our responsibility as parents and/or caretakers to take control and protect our children yet it is very sad when these very people become perpetrators instead of protectors. As we marked Child Protection Week, we need to strive for zero tolerance on crimes against children as enshrined in our Constitution and the Children’s Act. We appreciate the efforts of the communities for looking out for our children and for reporting the maltreatment of children who do not have a voice. Let us be the voice for those who can’t and stop the scourge of violence against the vulnerable,’ added Lt Gen Mene.
