She was allegedly raped on her 11th birthday in September– and twice afterwards.
But the one person she could have turned to – her mother – is accused of being instrumental in the assault.
Her mother, a 50-year-old former Chatsworth housewife, and her 55-year-old lover, a taxi owner, appeared in the local magistrate’s court on Monday on charges of rape, compelled rape, sexual assault and child abuse.
They may also face charges of human trafficking.
It is alleged the woman forced her daughter to perform sex with her lover in exchange for money.
The accused cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor. They are expected to apply for bail next week.
POST has learnt that the child had run away from the home she shared with her mother and reported the alleged abuse to her older brother and his wife, both 30, who live in Motala Heights.
The wife reported the incident to the Chatsworth police and both accused were arrested on Friday.
The girl’s sister-in-law claimed the first rape had taken place on September 12.
“She was told she would be taken out by this man for her birthday, but was just driven in his taxi to an isolated area and raped,” she said.
The girl had been moving with her mother from Chatsworth to Motala Heights in Pinetown and it is alleged the incidents took place at both places.
She broke down when revealing the alleged abuse, the sister-in-law said, adding that the girl said she had refused to comply the second time, but was allegedly beaten by her mother.
It is alleged that every time the child was raped there would be an exchange of money between the lover and the mother.
The sister-in-law said the girl had seemed normal until recently, when she noticed a change in her behaviour.
“She hasn’t been who she was. She just sits in the corner and bites her nails. When her brother went to cover her, she woke up with a shock, with her hands over her face.”
The sister-in-law said she had been watching the girl closely and trying to show her support in every way.
“It is not fair. No child deserves to go through this. Her childhood was taken away from her and she was forced to experience things that should be an act of love,” she said.
The abuse the child had allegedly endured had deeply affected her family, she added.
“I was horrified that the child went through this, and more than once. My husband has been traumatised.”
It is believed that the man who allegedly raped the girl had been having an affair with the girl’s mother, who is married.
He is a father of three who is well known in the community as he transports primary school children to and from school.
Motala Heights community leader Sipho Phoswa said locals were enraged when they heard of the incidents.
“This is the first time something of this nature has happened in the community. People are very angry and if the accused get bail, I am afraid their lives will be in danger,” he said.
SAPS spokesman Major Thulani Zwane confirmed that a case of rape had been opened at the Chatsworth Police Station.
He warned that those who committed such acts would be dealt with sternly.
“As we are approaching 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Children, we urge people to report these crimes so perpetrators can be put behind bars,” Zwane said.
– Additional reporting by Jolene Marriah