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Man (50) rapes girl (14) and gives her $1 to buy sweets

by Mafu Sithabile
24 Mar 2012 at 06:00hrs | Views
An Insuza man, Collen Bhebhe (50) allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl a number of times in three hours and gave her $1 to buy sweets in a bid to ensure she did not tell anyone.

Bhebhe is employed by the District Development Fund (DDF), while the victim's aunt is Bhebhe's girlfriend. He allegedly committed the offence at the DDF offices on Friday last week.

Bhebhe's girlfriend was reportedly away in South Africa on the day.

The officer commanding Lupane police district, Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo, confirmed the incident yesterday.

"Police are investigating a case of rape in which Collen Bhebhe (50) is said to have raped a 14-year-old girl. Bhebhe invited the girl to his office on the day he allegedly raped the child. The girl arrived at the office at about 5pm when other DDF employees were still at work. Bhebhe is alleged to have told her to go away and come back later," said Chief Supt Govo.

He said the girl returned about an hour later and Bhebhe allegedly dragged her into his office where he raped her on a number of times.

"He released the girl after three hours and gave her $1 to buy sweets. He instructed her not to tell anyone," said Chief Supt Govo.

He said the girl arrived home at about 9pm and when her grandfather asked her where she had been and why her clothes were in disarray, she started crying.

"He grandfather took her to the police station where officers from the Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) interviewed her. She continued crying and revealed what Bhebhe had done, leading to his arrest," said Chief Supt Govo.

He said the girl was taken to St Luke's Hospital for a medical examination.

Chief Superintendent Govo said Bhebhe would appear in court soon as the judiciary was fast tracking issues of child abuse to avoid further traumatising victims by taking long to conclude cases.

He appealed to parents to monitor their children and know where they are at all times.

"This reduces chances for unscrupulous people to abuse them. Parents should also teach their children to be wary of people who want to touch or kiss them and they should encourage their children to never keep such things a secret," said Chief Supt Govo.

He said the police VFU was always ready and willing to assist victims and ensure abusers were punished by the law.

Source - Byo24News
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