A MAN who allegedly raped a 13-year-old in a mkhukhu church will be kept in jail until his next court appearance.
He appeared in the Mhala Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga on Tuesday, 28 March, and was remanded in custody until 3 April for a formal bail application.
The man, who works for a local construction company and lives in a rented room in the area, was arrested two weeks ago after he was identified by the victim.
Dozens of Thulamahashe residents and EFF members were in court to support the victim's family.
They praised the court for keeping the accused behind bars.
The victim's heartbroken mum said she couldn't believe her ears when her neighbour's nine-year-old informed her mum about the ordeal.
"The kids said a man who works at the construction site abducted my child and was raping her in the church mkhukhu. Another girl (12) also came running and told me the same story.
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"My girl also confirmed to being raped by the man. Doctors confirmed she was raped, and we reported the matter to the police, who arrested him," said the mum.
The mum said the man pretended to send the girl to buy him things at a nearby shop.
"He then dragged her into a shack on the church yard and raped her. He must rot in jail," she said.
The mum said that her daughter is always crying and can't focus at school.
"She can't sleep, so we keep consulting with social workers for counselling programme as well as going for hospital check-ups," she said.
A neighbour said the incident left the girl traumatised.
"Upon arrival at the scene, we noticed something happened in the shack. The child was crying and her pants had fresh blood and slippery fluid. This is unbelievable as he's a married man and lives with his wife in the room," said the neighbour.
