TWO suspects were arrested in the Eastern Cape for allegedly gang raping a five-year-old child.
The incident happened at Mgababa location in Peddie while the little girl was attending a traditional ceremony with her mother on Sunday, 11 June.
According to Petros Majola, director of the Khula Community Development Project, the mum found her daughter crying in the bushes after the incident. This was after the child had gone missing during the traditional ceremony.
He said people looked everywhere for her, but the minor was nowhere to be found.
“Later on, the girl was found in the nearby bush by residents searching for her. The child was taken to the police and then sent for medical examination.
“You can never associate the word gang rape with a child who is five years old. Yes, rape is not suitable for anyone but gang raping a minor is worse. The suspects must rot in jail because they killed the future of this little girl,” said Petros.
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Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed the incident, and applauded the community and the cops for their speedy response.
“After the child was found, the mother noticed that she wasn't well. It was established that she was taken to the bushes in Prudhoe Village and allegedly raped," Naidu said.
She said the matter was reported to the police immediately.
"Members of the community apprehended a 21-year-old suspect at his house in Prudhoe Village. Later a second suspect (38) was also taken into custody after he was found at his house in the same village.
“They are due to appear in court in Peddie to face charges of rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and abduction on Wednesday, 14 June,” said Naidu.
