Afriforum said that the criminal justice system had failed a three-year-old child who was allegedly raped or sexually assaulted by her grandfather, a prominent businessman in the financial sector.
The organisation said it had now applied for a nolle prosequi certificate from the National Prosecuting Authority after the NPA failed to take action "despite the evidence that exists against the accused."
Former state prosecutor, Gerrie Nel, who heads up Afriforum's private prosecution's unit, said on Thursday that the alleged offences occurred at the home of the child's grandparents.
"The victim reported the rape and assault to her mother and father, and a psychologist confirmed the sexual offences in a psycho-legal assessment. The child had also identified her grandfather as the alleged perpetrator to her teacher," Nel said.
"We were also astonished that the police had failed to take a statement from the school teacher and psychologist".
Nel said that the SAPS has also failed to secure cell phone evidence and closed the case after a month.
He said despite the evidence that exists against the accused, the legal system had failed the victim who is now five-years-old.
(Pic: Afriforum)
