Two women accused of sexually violating an 11-year-old boy appeared before the East London Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The women in their 20’s were arrested on Tuesday at Orange Grove, near the airport.
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The state alleges that the two women lured the minor, who was playing outside, into one of their homes, where they allegedly sexually assaulted him.
As this is a Schedule Six offence, the prosecutor indicated the state’s intention to oppose bail.
According to the court, several items are still outstanding in the investigation, including witness statements, assessment reports, a photo album of the scene, and a recent image of the victim.
Outside court, community members expressed shock at the allegations, noting a disturbing trend of women in the area being implicated in sexual offences against minors.
ANCWL’s Thobeka Tyityi said the incident follows the recent arrest of a female deputy principal in the same ward, who faces charges of human trafficking, prostitution, and running an illegal brothel.
Meanwhile, EFF’s Chumani Matiwane said it was both shocking and disappointing to learn that the young women, in their 20s and both mothers, could allegedly commit such acts.
Khula Community Development Project’s Petros Majola added that they were strongly opposing bail.
“All we are waiting for is for the criminal justice system to speed up the process and sentence these people. Talking about bail is not my language in a case of this nature,” he said.
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Majola further echoed Matiwane’s sentiments, saying he was deeply disappointed when women are involved in the sexual grooming of minors.
Their bail application has been postponed to 12 November.
