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Warning: Child rape on increase

Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

Police have warned parents to take care of their children during the festive season.

The warning comes after a 34-year-old father from Nseleni, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, was arrested this week for raping his eight-year-old daughter while she had visited him.

Captain Jabulani Mdletshe of the uMfolozi police said the man was arrested after his mother saw her grandchild having difficulty walking.

"When she questioned her, she told her that her father had jumped into her bed and raped her the whole night. She examined her and noticed that she had a discharge in her private parts," said Mdletshe.

He said the girl was taken to a district surgeon who confirmed that she had been raped and her father was arrested. He appeared in the Empangeni magistrates' court and was remanded in custody until next week, Thursday.

Mdletshe urged parents to make sure they know the whereabouts of their children.

"Clearly, the time for one to trust a father or an uncle is over because most of the suspects are known or related to the victims," said Mdletshe.

According to the Victim Outreach and Information Centre the number of children being raped and abused in KwaZulu-Natal is increasing. The centre reported that it receives between 80 and 90 cases a month.

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