IN CONVERSATION WITH STANLEY OLIFANT( FOUNDER OF THE STANLEY OLIFANT FOUNDATION)
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The family of 12-year-old twin girls from Itsoseng, near Lichtenburg in the North West, is calling for tough action to be taken against a man accused of repeatedly raping the children.
The suspect, believed to be a foreign national from Zimbabwe, allegedly began assaulting the girls late last year. The matter came to light last week when the twins disclosed the abuse to their teacher, who then alerted authorities. The man has since been arrested.
A family member, whose identity is being withheld to protect the minors, explained how the abuse was uncovered. According to him, one of the girls confided in her sister about the rape, but when she threatened to report the matter to their mother, the suspect allegedly threatened to kill both the children and their mother if they spoke out.
Community members in Itsoseng have expressed outrage and heartbreak over the incident. 09:15
“We are saddened and in anguish because of rape, especially of minor children. It is not right for a man to rape a little girl,” said one resident.
Another community member added: “We want to stand up as women and say enough is enough. We have had enough of these incidents, yet nothing is being done.”
Others described rape as a “pandemic” that communities need to unite against, calling for stronger collective action to combat gender-based violence.
The suspect remains in custody as police continue their investigation
The suspect, believed to be a foreign national from Zimbabwe, allegedly began assaulting the girls late last year. The matter came to light last week when the twins disclosed the abuse to their teacher, who then alerted authorities. The man has since been arrested.
A family member, whose identity is being withheld to protect the minors, explained how the abuse was uncovered. According to him, one of the girls confided in her sister about the rape, but when she threatened to report the matter to their mother, the suspect allegedly threatened to kill both the children and their mother if they spoke out.
Community members in Itsoseng have expressed outrage and heartbreak over the incident. 09:15
“We are saddened and in anguish because of rape, especially of minor children. It is not right for a man to rape a little girl,” said one resident.
Another community member added: “We want to stand up as women and say enough is enough. We have had enough of these incidents, yet nothing is being done.”
Others described rape as a “pandemic” that communities need to unite against, calling for stronger collective action to combat gender-based violence.
The suspect remains in custody as police continue their investigation
