Girl (10) found in filthy caravan

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The 42-year-old man from Syferfontein accused of kidnapping two girls, aged 10 and 12, from Conville on Saturday 24 May and raping the younger one, made his first appearance in the George Magistrate's Court on Tuesday 27 May.

The girls' families, their friends, community members and representatives of the George and Conville CPFs and neighbourhood watches sat in silence as the dishevelled, unkempt accused was led from the holding cells to the dock.

The accused, whose identity may not be published until he has pleaded, faces two charges of kidnapping and one of rape. He is due back in court for a formal bail application on Thursday 5 June.

In the meantime, the community members are already planning a picket outside the court building to oppose bail.

The child's mother, who is understandably still in shock and riddled with anger, did not have much comment at this stage, but said she hopes that justice will prevail for her daughter's sake.

She said she last saw her daughter at their home on the morning of the incident, before the two girls left without saying a word. "They haven't spoken to me about what happened," she said. "At this stage, I still don't know much."

Resident sheds light on the accused's past

The incident shocked the community, leaving many searching for answers.

A Syferfontein resident who has known the suspect since childhood told George Herald she believes he grew up under extremely difficult circumstances, without parents or family.

She said he is originally from Bethlehem in the Free State and came to George as a young child, although she couldn't recall exactly how old he was at the time.

"He was one of the kids who grew up on the George dumping site all those years ago," she said. This was before the people from Syferfontein had moved to Rosedale, and those living on the landfill relocated to Syferfontein.

"He was arrested in the toilet next to my house," she said pointing to a blue portable toilet.

It became evident from what the resident said that the accused was virtually homeless. "He didn't live here, but he came around sometimes and never really had a home. He just slept wherever he could, sometimes here, sometimes there," she said. She also said she was aware of two previous incidents in which he allegedly sexually assaulted two women.

Initial police investigation

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, the suspect had allegedly approached the young victims and led them to an open field near the George showgrounds, near the refuse site.

It was here that he allegedly raped the one girl, while the other managed to escape and get help.

The victim was later found in a run-down caravan on a nearby farm at the back of Groeneweide Park behind the showgrounds.

The Syferfontein resident also mentioned the caravan in her conversation with George Herald, saying the accused allegedly had friends in the area where the girl was found, and that he would stay with them from time to time.

Previous articles:

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’