Ward 7 residents in Vergenoeg are calling for the closure of Bambanani Community Park following the rape of two nine year old boys at the dilapidated RC Elliot hall on Thursday 19 March.
The boys were allegedly grabbed by the suspects at the park, which is situated in Five April street, at around 1pm, while they were about to leave for home.
The dilapidated RC Elliot hall, which was vandalised in 2018, has become a hotspot for criminal activities. Nothing has been done to fix it amid calls from the community.
The incident has evoked fear among residents who live near the park, because the boys were targeted in broad daylight without anyone seeing.
The mother of one of the victims indicated that her son is still traumatised by the incident and had to go for counselling at Thuthuzela Support Centre before returning to school.
She says the other boy managed to break free from the rapists and ran to her house to inform her of the traumatic experience.
“I rushed to the hall and found that the EPWP workers had rescued my son from the hall and took him to the police station,” said the mother.
The boy was assaulted and kicked by one of the suspects.
“Why did it have to happen to an innocent child?” asked the sad mother.
Ward 7 councillor John ‘Valdes’ Diphahe expressed disappointment and regret at what happened to the children.
It is alleged that criminals hide out at the hall and terrorise the community. There are reported cases of robbery and attempted rapes linked to the premise.
Brigadier Rikhotso pleaded with parents to work with the police to protect the children. He urged anyone with information regarding the rape of the two boys to contact Detective Constable Ouma Mamapula at the Galeshewe Family Violence, Child and Sexual Offences Unit on 082 495 4605.
Rikhotso advised parents to monitor their children’s movements following reports of illicit activities taking place at the hall.
Police spokesperson Bashoabile Kale, said the police are still on the lookout for the suspects.
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