Cape Town -130523. Capt. Maria Goosen, a forensic social worker, is seen here with a family of forensic dolls which were donated by a private security company and handed over to the SAPS Child Protection Unit in Stellenbosch this morning. The handover marks the launch of Child Protection Month. Reporter: Nontando. Photo: Jason Boud Cape Town -130523. Capt. Maria Goosen, a forensic social worker, is seen here with a family of forensic dolls which were donated by a private security company and handed over to the SAPS Child Protection Unit in Stellenbosch this morning. The handover marks the launch of Child Protection Month. Reporter: Nontando. Photo: Jason Boud
Pretoria - As the country marks Child Protection Week, the plight of the city’s children was highlighted in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday when three men appeared in separate cases, each allegedly responsible for the rape of a minor.
In the first case, a Mamelodi police officer - who is in custody - accused of the kidnapping and rape of a 13-year-old girl three weeks ago, made a brief appearance.
Pretoria News earlier reported that the police officer was out on bail for two other charges of rape, one of an eight-year-old girl in 2008 and another of a 12-year-old girl in 2009. This was also when he allegedly raped his last victim.
In the first 2009 incident, the girl fell pregnant and it was believed that the officer was responsible for the pregnancy. He continued to work as an officer at the Mamelodi East police station.
The police officer’s case was postponed to June 5 to have DNA samples taken.
It was earlier reported that the teenager’s guardian had called the officer as she had not completed her chores. The officer allegedly picked the girl up from her house and took her to a nearby fast food outlet and bought her a meal before taking her to his house where he allegedly raped her.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesman Moses Dlamini and two representatives from Women and Men against Child Abuse (WMACA) attended Tuesday’s court proceedings.
In another case, a convicted child rapist, who allegedly raped his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter and exposed her younger half-sister to pornographic images after he was released on parole, appeared before the court.
The man who cannot be named to protect the identity of the children, was given a 10-year sentence in 2004 for the rape of a 17-year-old.
After serving seven years of his sentence he was released on parole.
The court heard from the principal of a local primary school how the 10 year old came to him in May last year telling him about the “disturbing images” the accused showed her on his cellphone.
After informing the mother of the incident, she indicated that she was aware of the pornographic images on his cellphone.
The police were informed and the accused was taken into custody in August. He indicated that he would formally apply for bail on June 4.
After the testimony of the principal, the case continued in camera and was postponed to July 2.
In the third case, a 65-year-old man briefly appeared in court on charges of rape and sexual assault. It is alleged that the man, from Wierdabrug, raped a 10-year-old girl. His case was postponed to July 5 for further investigation
Outside court, WMACA spokeswoman Vincentia Dlamini-Ngobese said there were too many cases of abuse and rape that could have been prevented.
“If people in position of power, like station commanders, teachers and parents, take responsibility, these type of incidents can be prevented,” she said.
Dlamini-Ngobese said that an effective child protection register would also help to expose people that should not work with children.
“The current child protection register is not as effective as it should be,” she said.
Pretoria News