SHOCK AS FATHER, SON ARRESTED FOR RAPE OF DAUGHTER (10)

MBABANE – In a shocking revelation, a 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her biological father and her brother, repeatedly.

The 51-year-old retired security guard and his son, who is 18 years old, are alleged to have been sexually violating the minor since January 2024. The incident happened around Mbuluzi, in  the Hhohho Region. Information gathered was to the effect that the minor was infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), which she is suspected to have contracted when she was allegedly being sexually violated by the duo.

Advantage

It is alleged that the duo took advantage of the minor on different occasions and they were not aware that they were both raping her. The father, *Bheki, and his son’s shenanigans were exposed after the girl visited one of her relatives during the school holidays. “The child wept bitterly when it was time to return to her parental homestead in preparation for schools reopening next week. When asked, she confided in her relative that she feared being raped by her father and brother at home. “The matter was then reported to the Social Welfare Department, under the Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) Office, where it was investigated and handed over to the police,” said a concerned resident of the area.

The resident said the father was subsequently arrested together with his son. Bheki made his first court appearance at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, charged with two counts under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act No.15 of 2018. In the first count, he was charged for contravening Section 3 (1), 3 (3) (c), 3(6) (e) as read with Section 3 (9) of the SODV Act, 2018. Bheki was also charged for contravening Section 37 (1) as read with Section 37 (5) of the SODV Act, 2018.

The accused, according to the charge sheet, maintained a sexual relationship with his biological daughter. It has been also stated in the charge sheet that Bheki’s particulars will be included in the national register for sex offenders if found guilty of the offence.

Remanded

When he appeared in court yesterday, Bheki was remanded in police custody. It has been gathered that the accused was assisting the police in connection with the rape of another seven-year-old girl in the area. It was further gathered that the Social Welfare officers have been roped in to handle the matter of the minor’s brother. The arrest of Bheki came as a shock to the residents of the area. They said it was hard to believe the story since Bheki, who had just retired from a security company, was known as a respectful man in the area.

“Bheki is married and he stays with his wife and children. We are yet to see what finally transpires,” said the residents. Worth noting is that the incident happened a day after a minor girl, who has a speech and hearing impairment, was sexually abused and dumped by unknown people at Mbhuleni in Matsapha.  It is said that the minor, who is estimated to be between 10 and 13 years, was found to be pregnant during the course of the investigations. It has also been gathered that the minor contracted STIs.

She was found by a woman on Monday night. These incidents have added to the statistics of 101 rape cases reported to the police in the month of July. Half of the reported cases involved minors (18 years and below). Meanwhile, the 13-year-old girl with a disability, who was purportedly sexually abused before being dumped at Mbhuleni, Matsapha, has been taken to hospital.
However, by the time of compiling this report yesterday evening, there was nothing concrete regarding the findings, but the police are still investigating the matter. The developments were confirmed by the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, who said since the teenage girl was in the hands of the police, she was getting the help she required despite the fact that she has a speech and hearing impairment.

She said, for example, she had already been taken to hospital. However, she said there was nothing much she could say about the matter, because it is still under police investigation.
However, she highlighted that so far, the police have not been successful in tracing her parents or family members, but it was something they were working on as they continued with their investigations.

Pregnant
The girl, who is believed to be pregnant, was found by a woman on Monday night inside her (woman’s) unlocked house.  Upon inspecting her, she and her neighbours discovered that the girl purportedly contracted STIs. They took her to Mbhuleni Community Police, who then handed her over to the police.
Late last month, a pregnant woman collapsed in court after a 30-year-old man, who appeared in court charged with the rape of a 12-year-old minor, was remanded in custody.
The unidentified woman, believed to be Linda Dlamini’s relative, shouted aloud to the amazement of the court and those present, when Magistrate Innocent Motsa granted the application by the Crown to have Dlamini remanded in custody until September 3, 2024.
The accused turned his head as he heard the woman screaming.
The woman tried to leave the courtroom when the court orderly directed his gaze at her. However, she collapsed before reaching the door. Her relatives, who were also present in court, pulled her out of the courtroom with the assistance of the court orderly.
Attention
The woman continued to cry louder, capturing the attention of the court staff. She was consoled by her relatives as she rolled herself on the floor.
She then relaxed on the bench in the comfort of her relatives while the accused had some discussions with his lawyer a few metres away. She waited until the accused left the court premises with the police.
Dlamini has been charged for contravening Section 3 (3) (c) of the SODV Act of 2018.
It is alleged that upon or about January 2024, at or near Mvakwelitje, he had unlawful sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old minor, whom she exposed to STIs such as HIV/AIDS.

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