The family of 12-year-old twins from Itsoseng near Lichtenburg in the North West is calling for harsh action to be taken against an older man who allegedly raped their daughters.

The suspect, believed to be from Zimbabwe, allegedly started raping the twins late last year.

After repeated incidents they reported the matter to their teacher last week, leading to the man’s arrest.

Their uncle, whose identity is being withheld to protect the girls, explains what happened.

“The other twin said, ‘let us go where we are supposed to’ and then this guy said to this other twin ‘you will find her here’. And then she went. When she came back I think that’s when she learned that the other twin was raped because this one was crying and she asked her what happened. I think she told her on that moment and then then other one said to the guy I am going to tell my mother about what you did and they got threatened that they are going to kill their mother and them too if they tell,” says the uncle.

Meanwhile, some community members say they are outraged following the incident.

“We are saddened. We are in anguish because of rape, especially minor kids. It is not a good thing for a man to rape a young person, a young girl, a little girl,” says one community member.

“We want to stand up as women and say enough is enough. We have had enough of this rape going on and on and nothing has been done,” says another member of the community.

“We need to get together and fight this crime because I think it’s a pandemic. We don’t know what’s going on,” adds another one.