A 34-year-old man has been arrested after he fathered a son with his 14-year-old stepdaughter.
The suspect was released on a warning at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court on Friday, after the girl told cops the relationship was consensual.
But her family and neighbours believe the now 15-year-old child was groomed.
The Eastridge man, who cannot be identified to protect the girl’s identity, is facing a charge of statutory rape.
Her mother found out about the pregnancy after the teen gained weight and she took her to the doctor as she was concerned about her health.
This news, announced by prosecutor, Chandré Minaar, sent shockwaves through the packed courtroom.
The suspect took his place in the dock with his head bowed, while his angry wife, the girl’s ouma, other relatives and members of Safeline filled the public gallery and earlier also protested outside court.
ANGER: Family, friends and neighbours of teen girl protest outside the Mitchells Plain court.
Minaar said a DNA test revealed the girl’s stepfather was the baby’s father.
The baby boy is nearly two months old.
“She was 14 when the incident happened and in June, the mother noticed her daughter was gaining weight and was concerned about her health and took her to the doctor in July,” said Minaar.
“The doctor said the child was eight months pregnant.
“In August it was alleged he was the father of the baby and the baby was born on 27 August and a paternity test, done privately, confirming the accused is the father of the child.
“On 9 September, the child herself gave a statement that she had had a consensual sexual relationship since June last year with the accused and that the accused never forced her and that when he wanted to end it, she said to continue. But she is not of a consensual age.”
Minaar said because the girl is a minor, the stepfather was arrested for statutory rape.
She says he tried to run away from cops, but was caught.
“He was arrested after a chase and had a knife in his possession.”
She said while the court has received a petition from the community asking for no bail, there were no grounds to keep the accused in jail.
The magistrate ordered the suspect to be released on a warning and that he refrain from entering Mitchells Plain except to attend court, and was told to stay in Manenberg.
Angry family members and friends outside court say they believed the teem was sexually groomed. Picture: Genevieve Serra
The case was remanded to 11 December for further investigation.
Outside court, the teen’s angry aunt, 60, says they believe the child was sexually groomed.
“How did she know about sex? She is only a child, who taught her to have a relationship?”
The girl’s 56-year-old ouma claims the suspect is very controlling and was obsessed with the teen: “He would buy her things and take her out alone and I believe he threatened her to do these things with him.”