Two dads held in "horror baby cases" (Zgqamakhwe, South Africa)

Two UNNAMED DADS have been arrested--one for murder his 3-month-old baby, and one for raping his 1-year-old daughter.

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=371528

Site Last Updated: Jan 8 2010 3:39PM

Fathers held in horror baby cases

2010/01/08

TWO Transkeian fathers have been arrested – one for murdering his three-month-old baby, the other for raping his one-year-old daughter.

Ngqamakhwe police station commander Superintendent Lindelwa Vellem was worried about escalating crime against children in their policing area.

“Ngqamakhwe will be known for all the wrong things and child abuse. We don’t like that.
“As the police women’s network, we will be visiting the family of the dead child today to give support to both the community and family.

“We appeal to women who are being abused to come forward and we will find them places of safety.

Butterworth police spokesperson Captain Jackson Manatha said the arrests were made after the victims’ mothers went to the police.

“We can confirm these cases and the suspects are expected to appear in court soon,” said Manatha.

“ In both incidents the suspects are the victims’ fathers.”

In the first incident, Manatha said a 28-year-old man accused his 22-year- old wife of having an extra-marital affair. He allegedly told his wife that their son’s nose was not like his and denied being the father.

“The man allegedly banged the child’s head on the ground a couple of times. The child later died on the scene because of severe head injuries,” said Manatha.

In the second case, the one-year-old baby was allegedly raped by her father.

Police said the victim and her four- year-old brother used to share a bed with their father.

The mother apparently recently noticed that the boy did not want to sleep with his father and upon questioning him, the mother was told of the alleged rape.

The suspect was arrested by police on Wednesday.

The two suspects are expected to appear in Ngqamakhwe Magistrate’s Court today on charges of murder and rape respectively. - By BONGANI FUZILE