Police are investigating the rape of an eight-month-old baby in Bonteheuwel.
Community leaders in the area are calling it the most heinous of crimes they’ve ever seen and are appealing to police to pull out all the stops to make an arrest.
It is unclear at this stage who the sick vark is, but the infant’s mother had left the baby in the care of her grandmother at her home in Bonteheuwel Avenue on Saturday, according to Ward councillor Angus McKenzie.
He says the family was alerted when the baby was crying “hysterically”, and the mother found the child’s private parts to be red and swollen and bloody.
It’s alleged a towel covered in semen was also found near the child in the house.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, says detectives are working around the clock to solve the crime.
“This office can confirm that a case of rape was registered for investigation after an incident occurred at Bonteheuwel Avenue, Bonteheuwel, on 29 June at about 2pm. Our detectives are following up on all lead," Van Wyk says.
The baby was rushed to Red Cross Children’s Hospital and is currently in the paternal grandmother’s care.
McKenzie says he has been left traumatised by the incident.
“I am shattered. What I have heard was that the mother had left the child in the grandmother’s care and upon her return found the child screaming in agony. Upon further investigation, the mother found the child’s private parts covered in blood and swollen,” he explains.
McKenzie says the baby was rushed to Red Cross Children’s Hospital and is currently in the paternal grandmother’s care.
“The family went to the police station and the child was taken to the day hospital by the police and from there to Red Cross Hospital. The child was discharged and is now in the care of her father’s mother. I was told a towel was found close to the bed that seemed like it contained semen," McKenzie adds.
Ward councillor Angus McKenzie.
He has since met with the family and will be arranging counselling for them.
“Our communities have lost absolute respect for themselves when an eight-month-old baby is so violently assaulted.
“I was in tears at the sound of the voice of the family member who graphically replayed what is alleged to have taken place.
“While heartbreaking and sickening, as a community we’ve been given yet another opportunity to stand together and unite against this evil that besets us.
“I have spoken to the family and will meet with them first thing in the morning to get social workers and support services in place.
“I will fight bail for any individual arrested for this disgusting act and will ensure that, with everything in my power, the heaviest and stiffest sentence is dealt to this individual.”
The traumatised family is not ready to speak to the media and referred queries to McKenzie.