JOHANNESBURG - An organisation advocating against sexual violence has expressed outrage over what it describes as a lack of sensitivity in a rape case involving a 12-year-old girl from Dobsonville.
This comes after Sihle Sibisi from the Kwanele Foundation raised concerns about the identification of the victim and her family, particularly by political parties.
She said this is not only disturbing but also subjects the minor and her family to secondary victimisation.
"Should the mother decide to flee from that society and go to another place, they will not be able to start a life afresh, because people already know them.
“Most political parties who've been there, they are posting all these people. And when we come up and say, stop sharing the videos, stop posting these people, they probably think we're just making it for clout.
“But we understand the weight of secondary victimisation and how this can affect the family and the child,” she explained.
READ | ANC distances itself from man accused of raping 12-year-old in Dobsonville
The 58-year-old Dobsonville church leader and politician is accused of raping a 12-year-old girl. It is alleged that he lured the pre-teen to his home on Good Friday, where the assault took place.
Angry residents gathered outside the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court where the man made his first appearance.
Among those present were organisations advocating against sexual violence, as well as political parties.
Police had to intervene after tensions escalated outside the court, where members of political parties staging a picket clashed.
Sibisi raised concerns over what she described as political campaigning outside court during the appearance.
READ | Political parties slammed for 'campaigning' at Dobsonville rape case
She also highlighted the reality victims face after the first court appearance, saying support often fades quickly, leaving families isolated.
“They will show up now, and then after the fact they vanish, they've gone with all their promises. And then the NPOs are the ones left on the ground to make sure that psychosocial evaluation and mental health of these families are catered for,” she said.