The mother of the two young sisters who were raped in KwaNobuhle last weekend says she has found some solace knowing that her daughters’ alleged rapist is behind bars.
But the woman says she still fears for the safety of her family and has opted to move house temporarily.
It has also since emerged that the 16-year-old rape accused has a pending case against him for murder.
In the meantime, police have confirmed that the accused’s family home was partially burnt by angry residents who set it alight earlier this week.
The girls, aged 11 and 12, were raped, allegedly by a teenager from their community on Sunday afternoon.
The 12-year-old girl was stabbed in the stomach as she tried to fend off the knife-wielding assailant.
And while she has since been discharged from hospital after the knife narrowly missed her right kidney, the mother said the girls had become distant and refused to talk.
The accused remains in custody after he abandoned his bail application in the Nerina House juvenile court on Thursday.
“They do not want to go to their grandmother’s home where the incident took place. It is very difficult, neither of them want to talk.”
She said her 60-year-old mother, who was locked in a room while the two girls were raped, was now battling with high blood pressure but she was trying to be strong for her granddaughters.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali confirmed that the 16-year-old had abandoned his bail application.
It also emerged in court that he faces a separate case of murder in addition to the two counts of rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and house robbery.
Tyali said it was alleged the teenager, with an accomplice who is still at large, allegedly attacked and killed a man in his house in the Dubai area in KwaNobuhle last month.
“The youth was positively identified as one of the alleged perpetrators,” he said.
On February 12, three youngsters allegedly stormed a house in KwaNobuhle and the 16-year-old allegedly raped the girls before stealing two cellphones, R2,000 in cash and alcohol.
Save a Child from Drugs, Save the Community founder Rev Thamsanqa Nkevu said the community was living in fear, with many feeling like prisoners in their own homes.
He said more police visibility was needed in the area.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said: “Earlier this week the home of the 16-year-old suspect was partially burnt. No case has been opened.
“Police are urging the community to refrain from speculation.
“Should they have any information, they need to contact the police so that any or all information can be followed up.”
She said the other two suspects who were alleged to have been part of the housebreaking and robbery had since been released as they could not be linked to the case.
HeraldLIVE
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