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Girl (9) unties friends after rape ordeal

A brave nine-year-old girl from Malabar in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, managed to untie her four friends after they were all trussed up by a tattooed man who raped one of the children on Sunday.

The group of friends - three girls and two boys - were tied up with their shoelaces shortly after picking fruit in Morningside.

The child untied her friends when the man fled after raping a 12-year-old girl.

The girl, whose parents declined to be named to protect her identity said: "I realised the man had not properly fastened my hands. The shoelace he used on me was loose."

She said after freeing herself she helped her friends.

"The eldest girl immediately left to get help after the attacker had left. It was very scary," she said.

A 10-year-old boy was also smacked around by the suspect.

Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said police were investigating.

"The girl was walking with her friends when they were approached by a suspect who was armed with a knife," she said.

The suspect first demanded money and cellphones from the children.

After the children told him they didn't have either he told them to follow him to some nearby bushes.

 

 

The mother of the raped child said: "The doctor confirmed the ordeal. I am hurt by all this. Our children are no longer safe here."

Nelson Mandela Bay ANC proportional representation councillor Lindelwa Mettavainio said: "It's painful for children to watch their friend being raped. She is like a bigger sister to them."

Two months ago the families were evicted from Kabega Park and relocated to Malabar.

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