A three-year-old boy from Heideveld tried to kill himself after allegedly being raped by his 13-year-old neighbour.
His traumatised mother, 35, says she cannot handle the stress anymore as the tot even attempted to stab his six-month old sister with a pen.
The woman says on 31 October a group of children were playing outside while their moms were chatting.
She says they heard a klappertjie go off and went to look for their children as they thought it was a gunshot.
“I went to look for my son and found him in a neighbour’s hokkie on a bed under the blankets.
“There was another small boy in the room and he told me the 13-year-old boy made ougat with my child.
“I took him home immediately and found he was wearing another child’s underpants.
“I could see something was not right and took him to the Thuthuzela Centre where the doctor told me he was raped.
“The other child who was in the room was also taken to
hospital and the doctors said he had also been raped.”
She says two cases of rape were registered, but she has received no feedback.
She says her son also has nightmares where he screams the name of his attacker, begging him to stop.
“On Saturday he took a cloth and wrapped it around his neck, trying to choke himself,” says the mom.
“I got such a fright and I’m waiting for him to get counselling, but this boy (the alleged rapist) is still walking around here.
“My child is tormented and I cannot turn my back for one minute because I am scared he will hurt himself.
“I don’t think he understands suicide, but it was so scary.”
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, confirms the matter is being investigated, but due to the “sensitive nature” of the case would not elaborate further.
monique.duval@inl.co.za