MOSSLE BAY – In a series of disturbing events, a 63-year-old grandfather in Mossel Bay has been arrested for the alleged rape of his 13-year-old granddaughter. This arrest is part of a broader effort by local law enforcement to address sexual violence in the community.
According to South African Police Service, detectives from the Mossel Bay Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit, the man allegedly raped his granddaughter on three separate occasions at his residence on Arum Drive. He was also accused of sexually assaulting her on Thursday, November 23, 2023. The case was promptly reported to the authorities, leading to an investigation and the suspect’s subsequent arrest at his home on Sunday, November 26, 2023. He faces charges of rape and sexual assault and is expected to appear in the Mossel Bay Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
In an unrelated case, the same unit arrested a 22-year-old man on charges of statutory rape related to an incident earlier in the year on Nzonza Street, Mossel Bay. The victim’s mother reported the incident on Friday, November 24, 2023, which led to the investigation and arrest of the suspect. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, November 27, 2023.
Additionally, in Knysna, a 33-year-old man was arrested on charges of attempted murder following an incident on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Chungwa Street, Khayalethu. The victim, a 3-year-old child, was hospitalized with severe head injuries after being hit with a brick during an altercation at a house. The child was transferred to a hospital in George for further medical care. The suspect is detained at the Knysna police station and is due to appear in the Knysna Magistrates’ court on a charge of attempted murder.
These incidents come amidst the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. The SAPS has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating crimes against women and children, with specialized FCS units assigned to investigate these sensitive cases thoroughly.