08 November 2023
The Congress of South African Trade Unions(COSATU) in the North West is stunned and saddened to learn about a barbaric act of gender-based violence which took place in a family home situated in Madibeng.
The case occurred on the 19th of October 2023, where a father raped his newborn-a one-month-old daughter in Krokodildrift West.
The 31-year-old man appeared in court on Monday, 23 October 2023, on charges of rape. It is alleged that the mother was busy preparing food outside the shack, while the father was inside sleeping beside the baby.
“The mother suddenly heard the baby crying and noticed when she entered that something was wrong as the father and the baby were undressed”. The mother reportedly screamed for help, and one of the neighbours called the police. The baby was admitted to Brits District Hospital after a medical examination.
COSATU North West reiterates the words of the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, when he condemned the incident calling it “shocking”. We also applaud the police and the community for their swift action, which led to the man’s arrest.
The man is currently detained at Kgosi Mampuru Prison. The case will be heard today, 8 November 2023 at B court in Brits.
COSATU calls for speedy prosecution of the perpetrator to make sure that he is permanently removed from society.
Affiliates and COSATU locals are requested to send their gender shopstewards to picket outside the court to support the refusal of bail.
Issued by COSATU North West
For more information, please contact:
Kopano Konopi(COSATU North West Provincial Secretary)
Cell: 082 339 5836