A senior state prosecutor has met the nine-year-old Port Elizabeth boy who was brutally raped, allegedly by a man in the neighbourhood, to see how to proceed with the case.
The boy, from Kwazakhele, is doing a little better, according to his sister and primary caregiver, but family friend Ayanda Billie said he was still struggling to sleep.
The alleged rapist lives near their Kwazakhele home.
The siblings went to the Kwazakhele police station on August 25 and the New Brighton police station the following Tuesday to try to open a case after the boy was allegedly raped twice in one week.
The same man had allegedly also raped him in 2017.
Thuthuzela Care Centre head advocate Linda le Roux said: “A senior public prosecutor consulted with him and after discussions with all relevant parties decided to refer him for court-related reports, because he is still very young and we need to see if he will not be traumatised more to go to court.”
Le Roux said the reports would be undertaken to ensure the boy would be able to testify should the case go to court.
“The final decision regarding prosecution will be done after these reports are considered,” she said.
Police spokesperson Andre Beetge said the police were working on the case.
“The suspect has not been [taken in] for questioning yet,” he said.
“The police have gathered evidence so far from the complainant and from the witnesses, which is the family.”
Beetge said the police had submitted a docket to the senior public prosecutor.
“The public prosecutor ruled that a report from social development was needed [which would determine whether the suspect will be arrested or not].
“When we get the warrant of arrest, we will make an arrest,” he said.
The little boy spent the past weekend at the home of Billie, 43, who was instrumental in getting the child helped and a case opened.
He said the youngster was still troubled.
“He is still traumatised and is not sleeping at night.”
The boy and his sister finally managed to open a case with the assistance of the White Door Victims last Wednesday.
The boy’s sister said he had started intensive therapy at Dora Nginza Hospital on Monday and she was happy with the treatment he was receiving.
“I am very happy with how things are turning out for us,” she said.
“He had two therapy sessions [on Monday] and even though he gets tired and quiet, I can see that he too wants to get better.”
The pair also met their assigned social worker, who made recommendations for the family to move forward.
Billie, however, raised concerns: “We had [the little boy] over for the weekend and on returning him home on Sunday, we saw the man who [allegedly] raped him standing [near the house] again.”