ZENZELE KUHLASE, Nelspruit | Monday
THE only thing that protects a traumatised eight-year-old Mpumalanga girl from the man who apparently raped and brutalised her, is her mother’s wicked looking panga.
The child was raped so violently that she can no longer control her bladder or bowl movements, and is terrified of all men – including her own brothers.
Police have, however, bungled the probe into her suspected attacker, Mfana Petros Mnisi.
First they dropped all charges against Mnisi after losing his court docket in May. He was only hurriedly rearrested after hundreds of local women and primary school children marched on police and threatened mob justice.
Then the Nelspruit Regional Court unexpectedly released Mnisi again on his own recognisance three weeks ago after a state prosecutor did not oppose bail.
Police have also since ignored repeated complaints that Mnisi is waging a reign of terror against the girl’s family.
“This bastard lives right across the road from us, and is blatantly intimidating us. He has thrown rocks through our windows and shouts death threats at my daughter whenever she dares venture outside,” said her outraged 32-year-old mother, who may not be named to protect the girl’s identity.
“I’ve begged for police protection, but they don’t bother answering our calls and haven’t even come to look at the damage to our windows.”
The distraught woman is so afraid that she has resigned from her R650 a month job to guard her daughter every second of the day.
“I’m like a bodyguard. I am at her side all the time and am not afraid to use my panga. It can gut a man in seconds,” said the feisty mother-of-four.
The super sharp bush panga is almost three foot long with wicked-looking barbs.
“This is supposed to be a civilized country and it shouldn’t ever have come to this, but what can I do if the police won’t help,” she asks.
“I was the only breadwinner in my family, but I’d rather die of hunger than allow anyone to brutalise my daughter again.”
Nelspruit Child Protection Unit officer, Inspector Whisky Shabangu, confirmed that the family had reported Mnisi’s alleged intimidation.
“They told me about the death threats and broken windows, but this is malicious damage to property and not anything I can help them with,” said Shabangu. “I therefore referred them to the local KaNyamazane police station.”
KaNyamazane station representative, Inspector Nomsa Mkhatshwa, denied receiving either a complaint or report on the incident.
“We have no record of this matter and therefore cannot investigate,” said Mkhatshwa. Teachers at Vulamasango Primary, where the girl used to be a star pupil, are taking the threats seriously, however, and keep a close eye on her at all times.
“She has lost much of her confidence and no longer plays with the other kids. Her school work has also suffered, and her marks have dropped,” said principal Enoch Singwane.
“We keep an eye on her though, and make sure she is always near at least one teacher or the principal to prevent any attack or kidnapping.”
Mnisi will plead on multiple child rape and assault charges on October 4, when his trial resumes in the Nelspruit Regional Court. – African Eye News Service