South Africa: Grandfather Of Raped 18-Year-old Girl Recounts Ordeal

The grandfather of the 18-year-old student who was raped by three male students of Sibongumusa High School in South Africa has recounted the painful ordeal. 

The girl's grandfather, who spoke to TimesLIVE on Tuesday said the incident has left the family “broken”.

“She told us that while she was at school, she was grabbed by three other learners and raped.

"Her mother was called to the school and they took the child to the hospital and reported the matter to the police.

"I don’t know what got into these children because they are young — two of them are in grade 12 while one is in grade 8,” he said.

The granddad, who was in tears, said the teen had visited the hospital three times since.

He claimed that the fact that the alleged attackers went to school and even took tests up until their arrest on Sunday profoundly wounded the family.

The granddaughter might take her exams at another school, the grandpa claimed the education authority had advised him.

“She can’t even go to the shop or step outside the house. She is always standing at the door and sometimes opens her books but you can see that she is dying inside.

"She is such a lovely child who respects everyone and loves playing with her friends and siblings. They took her childhood and crushed her.

“She is traumatised and it’s painful to see your child in such a manner. I can’t even sleep at night, I don’t want to even imagine how she is feeling.

"These boys didn’t respect my father’s home and it’s painful because they live close by,” he said.

The grandfather said his daughter, the mother of the pupil, had been crying every night after the incident.

He said two siblings, who also attend the school, were finding it difficult because of comments made about the incident.