The Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Peddie has arrested a 53-year-old man for alleged rape and abuse of his eight-year-old son.
The swift investigation by the police led to the arrest of the suspect who was on the run. The incident took place on 31 May 2023 when police were alerted by community members of the maltreatment and abuse of the child being cuffed and chained at his house at Mgababa Village outside Peddie.
Upon arriving at the house, police found the child alone and cuffed with a chain. The child was freed and taken for medical treatment and to a place of safety. The father, who had fled the scene, was later traced to a relative’s house in NU11 in Motherwell in Gqeberha and arrested by the investigating officer on Sunday, 04 June 2023. He is currently detained on charges of rape and child neglect and has been scheduled to appear in the Peddie Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 06 June 2023.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene commended the swift action by the police and was saddened by 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.”
Lt Gen Mene also appreciated the communities’ efforts in looking out for children and reporting 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.