On Thursday, Cape Town woke up to the shocking news that two community leaders have been accused of being paedophiles and sex predators.
What was most disturbing was that the allegations against the retired school principals came from one of their own granddaughters.
In a 15-minute YouTube video, which has now gone viral, the young woman publicly outed the 85-year-old twin brothers - Gasant and Goosain Emeran - two education stalwarts and respected elders in the Muslim Bo-Kaap community.
Wracked by all kinds of emotions, and choking back tears, the woman recounts in sickening detail how she was allegedly sexually assaulted by her own grandfather, Gasant, from the age of five.
She claimed that many girls have fallen prey to the brothers over a period of five decades.
She also explained the agonising personal struggle - feelings of guilt and shame - that led to her sharing her trauma, and confronting the alleged perpetrators’ crimes.
Another particularly unsettling part of her confession that really upset Daily Voice readers was when she explained how relatives tried to cover up the alleged sex crimes and silence her.
“Whenever I would talk about it, I was told to get over it, it’s in the past, that they’re old and they’re going to die soon.
“When I said last year that I would make it public, that I’d had enough, I was lied to. I was told that Gasant would be under house arrest. I found out all of these were lies...
“I was told there was nothing I could do.”
The woman and her family, who neighbours say moved overseas as a result of the alleged abuse, has not opened a case with the police.
Neither of the brothers have commented on her allegations either, so it would be inappropriate to judge the accused, the accuser, or the merits of the accusations.
This is not the time nor place.
What was interesting to note, however, was the support the woman received, and how many female readers could relate to her experiences and emotions - whether true or not.
Judging from the comments on the Daily Voice’s Facebook page, it seems abuse is alive and well in our communities, in our families and in our homes.
Avril Alicia Paulson wrote: “Well done for speaking out. You are brave and just magnificent. So many others cannot. You’ve taken this burden upon yourself but also given a voice to the voiceless who have suffered with this knowledge and let them know someone is with them and that someone is you. Be blessed.
Stephanie Fernandes commented: “It happens in so many communities but children are afraid to speak up because they think it’s their fault. Parents are in denial because it would shame the names of their families, so they let these innocent children continue to be abused
Shauneez Paris Isaacs added: “I believe you, there are many like you that need to come forward and speak. Now is the time for healing and justice. Shame them like they abused you. Enough is enough.”