KNYSNA NEWS - The mother of an eight-year-old girl and her boyfriend appeared in the Knysna Magistrates Court on Monday, 6 January after the little girl was allegedly raped by the boyfriend.

The couple from Nekkies East are facing charges of rape and child neglect respectively. 

Community members, who came in large numbers to support the minor, said they discovered that the girl was raped when she had slept over at one of her neighbours on 31 December, 2019.

They reported the matter to the police and the couple was subsequently arrested and the child was rushed to hospital.

Khanyisa Mase, one of the community members present at court, expressed her utter disgust and disappointment with the mother. "She should've taken better care of her child and protected her. We intend to be present throughout the case and hope that the man will not be released on bail," Mase said.

She added she also hoped that the child would not be placed in their care again. "We further hope that she will be placed in a shelter and protected from further victimisation from her guardians or other children in the area."

The mother was released on warning and her matter was postponed to 17 February, while her boyfriend remains in custody and his matter is scheduled to be heard on 15 January. The names of the suspects cannot be revealed due to the sexual nature of the case.

The child is still at the Knysna Provincial Hospital receiving medical attention.

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