A COUPLE who appeared in the Kabokweni Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga on Wednesday, 7 June for rape will return to court on Monday, 12 June, but this time for concealment of death.
This after the remains of a child (1) were dug up in Pienaar, where a young girl was allegedly raped by her step-father (43) while helped by her own biological mother (35).
Police spokesman, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said news of the child's burial in a shallow grave behind the family's shack surfaced while police investigators were trying to get a picture of circumstances surrounding the girl's ordeal.
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"Valuable information came forth about a child whose whereabouts was unknown. According to the investigation, people in the neighbourhood were worried after not seeing the child for quite a while without being notified about his death.
"This eventually led to the exhumation and discovery of the child's remains on Wednesday, 7 June. A case was opened for that matter. The investigation is ongoing and a forensic investigation is underway to establish the cause of the child's death," said Mdhluli.
He said the police have learned that the parents are not South African citizens. "It is believed they are originally from Mozambique without valid documentation to be in the country. The SAPS is working collaboratively with Home Affairs to ascertain their status in the country," he said.
Mdhluli added that the girl's rape was kept under the carpet for years.
He said a case was opened and the matter was investigated by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Pienaar.
"The step-father as well as the biological mother were arrested. The girl as well as her four siblings were removed to a place of safety. The couple are in police custody and will return to court on Monday, 12 June," he said.
Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, lashed out on the parents' alleged behaviour.
"Parents are tasked with the responsibility to bring up children in a responsible manner so that these young ones in turn grow up to be responsible future parents. Children should be protected and they must never be abused by anyone, including their own parents," said Manamela.
