• Tweet

PAYING ATTENTION: Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa talks to resident Daisy Moerane during a visit to a 17-year-old rape victim's home in Braamfischerville in Soweto. PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU

RELATED ARTICLES

• Police Minister pleads with Sowetans

During a visit to the family of the mentally ill girl yesterday, Mthethwa said: "The main objective of this visit is to urge the community to support this family and not to victimise the mother during this time".

The girl's sister, who cannot be named to protect the girl's identity, refused to speak to the media about the matter.

Her sister grabbed headlines last week when a shocking phone video emerged showing seven males gang-raping the teenager. The girl was said to be missing for a few weeks, but was found in the company of a 37-year-old man who claimed to be her boyfriend.

The man and the seven males, including two minors, appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court last week.

Following his visit to the family, Mthethwa spoke to residents and urged them to show their support.

Many of the residents were angry and accused the government of not doing enough to help parents of children with mental illnesses.

"We don't see you," Flora Motlhake said to the minister when he tried to explain who within the government would be best able to help.

Motlhake is the mother of a 13-year-old mentally ill girl who has experienced similar problems. "My daughter was almost raped. Luckily there was no penetration, but we went to the Protea court and the case went nowhere."

The Kliptown station commander gave her his details and promised to follow up.

Another mother, Daisy Moerane, has a 27-year-old mentally ill son and said she understood the difficulty the mother of the victim was experiencing.

"We cannot wrap our kids around us all the time. They are growing and cannot be locked up all the time," she said.

Moerane said the older her son got the more difficult it was to raise him.

"He's a man, but he's also a boy and it's very difficult to raise him and keep watch of him constantly."

Mthethwa also fielded questions concerning claims that acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was being told by someone or some people who he could and could not investigate.

"We have said in the past what we think of the matter. As far as we are concerned, there is nothing from our side," Mthethwa insisted.

Concerning public protector Thuli Madonsela's investigation, Mthethwa said the media ought to ask her the questions because he did not know.

However, his spokesman Zweli Mnisi offered a statement. "As we speak the auditor-general is busy with the investigation. Let us await the finalisation of the investigation and then we can comment."

The seven males are appearing in court today.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Fri May 24 23:11:50 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 25, 2012

Arewanga

kha hu tou thukhuliwa zwi tungulo zwa havho vho binyaho
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

somaartakeit

whatever mthethwa, authorities who have resources to curb this violence under your watch are not doing their jobs, and now you are tasking ordinary citizens to do the work you guys are paid for? why don't you just drop dead and do us all a favour, nxa!!!
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

BaleliM

My understanding is that the community had nicknamed this poor gal as a target for f ree s3x instead of helping.
We are our own w orst e nemies and we have nothing of empathy in us.
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

JajasQueen

All women should be protected from this shameful scourge.

Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

Logza

they must do a programm were they will teach parents with mantally ill children how to take care of their children and where to go for help if the parent have a problem with the child.
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

MsKinkyakaKamaSutra

"We cannot wrap our kids around us all the time. They are growing and cannot be locked up all the time," she said.
Moerane said the older her son got the more difficult it was to raise him.
"He's a man, but he's also a boy and it's very difficult to raise him and keep watch of him constantly
********************************************************************************************************************
So sad.........

What is the f**&% minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities doing...... Lulu you are a disgrace, instead of compalining about lala (economy) class and yur comfort on planes, spare a thought for the people that you are supposed to represent (protect and be their mouthpiece)




Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

MommaC

Still not a single word from the Minister of Everything Except Healthy Males ?

Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

secretkay

we can all complain and say our view but the truth is that our system is weak that is why things like this will happen more and more, our country is corrupted and as long as the government protect the guilty people and allowing them to do as they please i am telling you we are going no way,
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

Papage

They take every opportunity to be seen to be doing some work and yet they do nothing.
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

Decibels

anyone know why they call her 'Jackpot'??
Report Abuse

Read all 19 comments