Pregnant at 11: Family fights to keep accused rapist behind bars

702's Bongani Bingwa is joined by 'Annette', the mother of an 11-year-old girl impregnated by the man who raped her.

Listen below:

It was the change in behaviour that little Naledi’s mom, Annette (not her real name), first noticed.

She stopped recording videos, talking to friends and being her usual, bubbly self.

She would come from school, go straight to her room, do her homework and go to sleep.

Then Annette noticed the child’s stomach was rounder than usual, and her breasts were growing.

What could explain it? The child was only 11. She asked the dreaded question and the child broke her silence: she had been raped.

The 11-year-old was pregnant by an older man, a family friend.

Now well into the pregnancy, the family is seeking justice.

"I asked her what's going on... the child broke down, she told me, 'Mommy, I'm scared to tell you... she said Uncle is the one who did this."

- Annette

"I froze... that a person I trusted wholeheartedly did this to my child."

- Annette

After the devastating revelation, Annette and her family went to the police.

"The police were helpful. They took the statement from the child. And on the 22nd, they did arrest him."

- Annette

Annette says the case is currently before the Boksburg Magistrate's Court.

"The accused appeared on 5 May, and the next appearance is going to be 14 May, next week. He is applying for bail."

- Annette

According to court papers, the accused intends to plead not guilty. Annette says if he is granted bail, it would be her worst fear.

"They say they are going to hold his passport... [holding a] passport will not stop someone from running away."

- Annette

Even more horrifying, Annette said she recently learned her daughter's alleged rapist had raped and impregnated another child previously.

"A few days ago, someone came and told me that the child was a minor when she gave birth to the child."

- Annette

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.

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