HE is known for selling snuff ekasi.
So, a sangoma sent her 12-year-old neighbour to buy snuff from the man. But the man allegedly lured the girl into his shack on Christmas Day and raped her.
He then warned the girl not to tell anyone about the incident. However, the girl's mum had noticed that she struggled to walk.
On Sunday, 4 February, the mum confronted her daughter, who told her about her ordeal. The mother then informed abahlali and the man was given a few lashes before he was handed over to the Bekkersdal police.
The suspect was bust on Monday, 5 February and appeared in the Westonaria Magistrates Court on Thursday, 8 February. Bekkersdal residents protested outside the court and called for the suspect not to be released on bail.
The girl's mum said she was devastated that the suspect destroyed her daughter's life.
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"We trusted him and never thought he would do such a thing. All I want is for him to be removed from the streets and be sent where he belongs," she said.
"My child had gone to buy snuff and returned home without any sign of any assault. But as time went on, I noticed she struggled to walk. It was until I asked that she revealed the details."
The sangoma, who sent the girl to buy the snuff, said she's torn apart.
"If I knew I was sending my little daughter into a trap, I would have decided otherwise. The law must take its course. This man is evil. He's not who we think he is," said the sangoma.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant Mavela Masondo, said a rape case was opened and the suspect appeared in court on Thursday. He added that the case was postponed to Wednesday, 14 February.
