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Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
A 29-YEAR-OLD Tsholotsho man allegedly raped his juvenile cousin at knife point last week while the girl’s mother had travelled to South Africa.
The man, from Emthonjeni area who cannot be named for ethical reasons trapped the girl in his bedroom hut before raping her.
Confirming the incident yesterday, officer commanding Lupane district Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo said the man was now in police custody.
“The man is a cousin to the rape victim and they stay at the same homestead. On September 1, the girl’s mother travelled to South Africa leaving the girl in the man’s care,” said Chief Supt Govo.
“Later that afternoon, the man went to his bedroom and called the girl. When she entered the room, she saw him sitting on the bed and holding a knife.”
He said the man threatened to kill his cousin if she resisted or made noise and raped her once.
“The girl did not report the matter to anyone until her mother’s return on Tuesday. She narrated her ordeal and a report was made leading to the man’s arrest,” said Chief Supt Govo. About 325 girls are raped in the country every month, police have said.
National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said figures translate to 11 minors being raped in the country every day.
“At least 325 cases of juvenile rape are recorded every month meaning we’re having 81 plus rape cases on a weekly basis. These are very scary figures and we’ve noted that most of the minors being raped are between the ages of 11 and 15,” she said.
She urged juveniles to avoid substance abuse as it made them more vulnerable to sex attacks.
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