• A father allegedly raped his eight-year-old daughter and then convinced her to accuse their neighbour of the crime. 

• The case comes during rising sexual violence against children in the Eastern Cape. 

A father from Sugarbush in Mount Ayliff has been arrested for allegedly raping his eight-year-old daughter and then forcing her to accuse their neighbour.

Police arrested the neighbour after the girl’s parents opened a case against him. But during the investigation, the young victim revealed the real perpetrator was her father.

“She told police that her father had raped her on multiple occasions and that he told her to say it was the neighbour who raped her,” said a source close to the family.

The father reportedly led protests demanding justice against the innocent neighbour.

“The father was seen carrying his daughter on his back, he pretended to be seeking justice for his daughter. What he did is cruel and shameful; it’s like stealing from someone and then helping them look for the thief,” the source added.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the father’s arrest.

“The suspect has been arrested and is due to appear in court on 15 April,” Gantana said.

She said police cannot comment further as other details form part of the ongoing investigation.

This case comes during increasing reports of rape against minors, following the recent rape of a seven-year-old girl on school property.

Just last week, police arrested a man for raping and impregnating his stepdaughter in Ntabankulu.

According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Welile Matyolo, the pregnancy was discovered in April.

“Information in police records indicate that the victim was raped in December 2024, and was only noticed to be pregnant in April 2025. Her mother opened a criminal case,” he said.

Pictured above: A poster calling for an end to gender-based violence.

Image source: Facebook