A 73-YEAR-OLD madala is expected to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrates Court for the third time for allegedly raping his two grandkids, aged 10 and 11.
The madala from Ha-Muraga Village in Limpopo was arrested on Monday, 7 August after his son opened a rape case against him.
The suspect appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday, 8 August and again on Monday, 14 August for his bail application.
It's alleged that during this year's school break, the complainant niece cried and complained of pain when her mum was bathing her.
The two kids were then taken to Tshilidzini Hospital on Tuesday, 1 August and questioned. One of the kids alleged that the madala had not done anything to her.
"The second then started confessing that her grandfather raped her several times during the day and also at night. They then took her to the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme (TVEP), and they investigated the matter and took the kids to the doctor to be examined.
"They confirmed that the kids had be raped by my father. They also said that my father allegedly threatened them that he would be arrested if they told anyone, and they'd suffer because he is the breadwinner," said the complainant.
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This allegedly happened while the victims were staying with the suspect and his wife, while their mums worked in Joburg.
The complainant told Daily Sun that he received a call from his sister informing him of the incident.
"It seems like it started in 2017. But we only found out this year that both girls cried when they were being bathed on their private parts," said the complainant.
The complainant said his other niece, who is now 19 years old, also opened up that she was allegedly raped several times when she was 10 years old while staying with her grandfather.
"When we asked her why she did not tell us, she said she was afraid as her grandfather said he will get arrested and it will make the family fight,” he said.
The complainant said that the victim does not feel comfortable and is afraid.
The village chief, Muraga Mphaphuli, said he was still shocked and disbelieve that the madala had committed such a crime.
"I wanted him to be one of my councillors because I believed he would be useful as an elder and I am disappointed. I strongly condemn this with the strongest possible terms because this is taboo,” said Mphaphuli.
The National Prosecuting Authority regional spokeswoman, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, confirmed the incident.
"I can confirm that a 73-year-old man raped his two grandchildren aged 10 and 11. His case has been postponed to Thursday, 17 August to apply for bail,” Malabi-Dzhangi said.
