Fury as girl is raped and stabbed

A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl is in an induced coma, fighting for her life, after allegedly being raped, stabbed, and left for dead on a shack’s roof in the Lion Park informal settlement in Diepsloot.

- ANITA NKONKI [e-mail]

The suspect, the mother’s ex-boy-friend and a once-trusted family friend who often babysat the child, was reportedly caught by community members, while drinking with friends. He appeared unaware that the child had survived and was fighting for her life in the hospital. He allegedly confessed, claiming “the devil made him do it”.

A community member discovered Warona (a pseudonym) on the roof of the 28-year-old suspect’s shack on Sunday, September 7, around 6pm. The child had been under the care of her grandmother while her mother was at work when the suspect took her and two other children under the pretence of buying them sweets.

When the other two children returned without Warona, neighbours alerted the grandmother. The incident has left the community reeling and sparked urgent calls for justice.

Family members said that medical reports confirmed the child had been sexually violated, stabbed in the neck, and left on the roof before the suspect fled the scene.

“She was brought down from the roof and rushed to Diepsloot Clinic, but her injuries were too severe. She was referred to Yusuf Dadoo Hospital, then Leratong, and finally Baragwanath Hospital,” a close relative explained.

“She underwent extensive surgery on her genitals and neck before being placed in an induced coma.”

The family described the suspect as a trusted figure. “We didn’t see any problem with him spending time with the baby. That’s why we didn’t worry when she wasn’t back home yet,” a family member said.