Soweto mom speaks out after daughter’s alleged rape at school
A Soweto family in Dlamini 1 has been caught up in a three-month emotional turn following the alleged rape of their 8-year-old daughter.
The Grade 3 learner was allegedly raped on September 04 by a security officer, Philip Twala, at Emadlelweni Primary School toilet.
The victim’s grandmother, Busi Nyembe, reminisced the horrific day after discovering the child was sexually violated.
Overwhelmed by her emotions, Nyembe said the girl was found bleeding heavily by her two siblings while she lay on the bed at home.
The child had a bloody vaginal tear after the older sibling reported her sister’s grim state.
“I’m deeply hurt. I called Jane (family friend), where she saw my child was raped. When we looked at her clothes, they were neither torn, but her genital part was drenched in blood,” said Nyembe.
The family insisted the victim to recall the events of the tragedy, but she lied that she had fallen from a tree.
She was immediately rushed to a local clinic and later referred to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
“That’s when she told us the truth after the hospital confirmed she was raped. The doctor instructed us not to rush her into speaking out. She was stitched at Chris Hani,” said Nyembe.
The victim’s mother, Ellisa Mabunda, believed Twala had been patiently targeting her daughter.
Barely three months into his occupancy at the school, the 50-year-old suspect would often be rude to the victim but friendly with other learners.
On the day of the incident, the child left her school bag by the security, where Twala followed her to the bathroom.
She attempted to run away after another learner tried to enter the apparent crime scene.
“My child was scared of him. He made her sit on top of him and closed her mouth, her face was swollen,” said Nyembe.
The suspect attempted to hang the girl on a tree minutes after the ordeal. He further threatened to kill her if she dared report him.
However, the school’s principal said children are prohibited from playing on that side of the school.
A teacher gave the child a sanitary towel, assuming she was menstruating.
“Maybe I am not aware that children these day can start their periods early into their age, but what kind of teacher gives an 8-year-old a pad when she is drenched in blood?” said Nyembe.
The school was made aware of the crime. The principal claimed the incident was reported to the local Education District.
However, District officials have neither visited the family nor offered emotional support.
The Gauteng Education Department’s spokesperson (GDE), Steve Mabona, said: “We will escalate the matter to the District for their response.”
He could not confirm an accurate date of when the matter would receive a response.
“The principal visited us twice. He left R100 and R500 on both visits. He said he was going to attend the court proceedings with us,” said Nyembe.
The child was transferred to Isipho Primary School after the incident, as regular visits to the same toilet would trigger her trauma.
She was further able to identify the suspect in group of men who were called for identification by the Crime Intelligence Division (CID).
“This man tried to evade the identification process which took place at the previous school. He changed his clothes and wore a reflector and cap, but my daughter pointed him despite his sly behaviour,” said Mabunda.
Mabunda said her daughter has been emotionally and psychologically perturbed.
“She is not okay; she can’t even sleep alone at night. She can’t hold her urine and one time, she tried to run off. We now lock the doors for her safety.
“She has also developed piles and back pains. The hospital told us not to feed her solids as her intestines were affected by the rape,” said Nyembe.
The family has since been left distraught, despite ongoing counselling from The Teddy Bear Clinic.
Mabunda depends on alcohol and sleeping pills as a coping mechanism.
She added they have been facing backlash from the community and the suspect’s family because Twala is a local.
“His family has never bothered to offer support, instead we are insulted. They are accusing us of lying,” said Mabunda.
Nyembe blamed the justice system, noting the child was violated at what was supposed to be a safe haven for children.
Twala is expected to make his fourth court appearance today, December 13.
The Star
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