Pretoria - A 22-year-old is expected to appear in the Bolobedu Magistrate's Court in Polokwane on Monday following his arrest over the weekend for alleged child rape.
The suspect, who owns a spaza shop in Lenokwe village in Bolobedu, will face eight charges of rape after six girls and two boys, aged between six and 11 years, detailed their ordeal at the hands of the 22-year-old to the police.
The children reportedly told a teacher, who had noticed something unusual about them. The teacher then sought the assistance of a social worker, who in turn informed the police.
The children confessed that the suspect lured them to his spaza shop and gave them snacks. The suspect is said to have been sexually abusing children since 2008 and has been using the same modus operandi of luring children to his spaza shop.
The provincial commissioner of Limpopo, Lt Gen Simon Mpembe, has urged parents to be vigilant and observant of their children's behaviour.
"Parents must not hesitate to interrogate their children if they see a sudden change in behaviour or anything unusual with their children. Had we known about this ordeal earlier, many children would have been saved..." said Mpembe.
He said police would take all the necessary steps to ensure that the suspect remained in custody until the day his judgement is passed. - SAnews.gov.za
