Viljoenskroon: A 50-year-old man from Rammolutsi in Viljoenskroon was arrested after allegations of repeatedly raping his 14-year-old step granddaughter. The step grandfather was arrested on Sunday, 28 November 2021. His arrest came after the 14-year-old victim finally gathered strength to inform her grandmother about her ordeal in the hands of her grandfather.

The victim alleged that the first incident occurred on August 2020 when she was at home watching TV in the absence of her grandmother. She further alleged that she was only with her step grandfather in the house when he pulled her on the couch in the sitting room and raped her without a condom.

According to her, she did not tell anyone about the incident because he threatened to kill her if she tell anyone. She went on to report that another horrible incident happened again in September 2021 in the morning when the grandfather barged into her bedroom saying he needed bath towels. As he wanted to jump onto the bed where she was lying, she tried to run into the sitting room but he grabbed and dragged her into his bedroom where he raped her for the second time. After the ordeal she told him that she is going to inform her grandmother but he replied by saying that he is not afraid of prison.

The rape incident was exposed on Saturday, 27 November 2021 while the girl’s biological mother was home. The daughter went to the grandmother who was sitting with the mother’s friends and told them that the mother does not know that the grandfather is abusing her sexually.  She related everything and the police were informed.

He appeared at Viljoenskroon Magistrates’ court on Monday, 29 November 2021 to face a charge of rape.  He remain in custody pending his next court appearance for bail application on Tuesday, 07 December 2021. His particulars cannot be made known to protect the identity of the victim.

Source: South African Police Service