Mangaung - A husband and wife were arrested on Friday on charges of child abuse relating to their own son and daughter, with a case of possible rape and possession of illegal substances still to be investigated, police in the Free State reported on Monday.
“The mother (33) and the father (43) were both arrested for child abuse and other charges can still be added,” said Free State police spokesperson Constable Peter Kareli.
Police in Mangaung, Free State, received information about a couple who had allegedly abused their children with investigations into the matter resulting in a search of the suspects’ house in Bloemspruit.
Police found the couple’s children in what Kareli described as a “very dirty” state.
“One of the police officials noticed that the (eight-year-old) boy was not well and rushed him to hospital, as well as the 11-year-old girl child,” said Kareli.
He added that there were allegations the girl had been raped “multiple times” by her mother’s “clients”.
“She (the mother) would hold (the daughter) down while they continued with their evil deeds,” said Kareli.
Medical tests also confirmed that the boy had drugs in his system.
Kareli added that while searching the house, police found a bag of dagga in the mother’s possession.
“Police are investigating a case of rape, possession of illegal substance, and child abuse,” said Kareli.
Both children were taken to a “place of safety” and the suspects were due to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
ANA