Eldorado Park rallies for justice in horrific child abuse case

ANGRY Eldorado community members who had marched to Protea Magistrate's Court ahead of the appearance of the man accused of assault, rape, and murder of his four-year-old daughter continued their chants, calling for justice for the little girl outside the court yesterday.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

The man, who cannot be named due to strict conditions set out by the magistrate, appeared briefly in court, where his matter was postponed to Monday, August 18, for a formal bail application. His wife also appeared separately for her alleged failure to immediately report multiple incidents of child abuse to the authorities.

According to police, the man was arrested after officers responded to reports of screams coming from a backyard shack. Inside the home, police discovered the young girl with severe head injuries, bruises, and a swollen eye.

This subsequently resulted in the child’s death while she was recovering in hospital on Friday afternoon, just hours after the father made his first court appearance on charges of assault, GBH, and attempted murder.

Following the child’s death, the court heard that the charge sheet had been amended to include murder, attempted murder, rape, child abuse, and assault “grievous bodily harm’ (GBH).

According to the charge sheet, it is alleged that on August 6, the accused unlawfully and intentionally hit the four-year-old, causing severe bruises, while he is also alleged to have sexually penetrated the victim.