Held for stepchild's rape

POLICE in Soweto have arrested a 46-year-old man for allegedly raping his stepdaughter.

Warrant Officer Kay Makhubele said the victim, aged 13, had told her teachers her stepfather had sexually abused her on several occasions.

Makhubele said the pupil's teachers had laid charges at Jabulani police station.

"The alleged incident was reported by teachers who noticed behavioural changes in the victim."

Makhubele said the teachers told them the victim was under-performing at school, and when asked why her school work had declined, had told them her stepfather was sexually abusing her.

The victim lives in a shack with her mother, stepfather and two siblings. The man was arrested yesterday and is expected to appear in court soon.

Teddy Bear Clinic's Onica Diamond said most cases had nothing to do with parental neglect.

She said perpetrators related to their victims threatened them not to tell anybody.

". victims only speak out when encouraged by either relatives, friends or people they trust."