RITAVI – The rural community of Ritavi near Tzaneen is still reeling from the shock they received following the alleged rape and assault of two minors aged five and nine by their stepfather.

Lowveld police spokesperson Captain Moatshe Ngoepe confirmed that a 51-year-old man had been arrested for allegedly raping and abusing his stay-in girlfriend's daughters aged 5 and 9.

Ngoepe said the unemployed man, who is a member of the local Community Policing Forum, was arrested last Monday after the community alerted the police. The girls were admitted to Letaba Hospital where they were receiving medical treatment and counselling.

The doctor also established that the children, who had visible scars and wounds, had been abused for months. Ngoepe said the elder girl, who is now in a wheelchair, was handcuffed during the assaults. It is also alleged that he had abused her sexually in front of her younger sister.

Police confiscated a handcuff and two toy guns, that look like real guns. Ngoepe said the pictures of hard-core pornography covered the wall of the room where the children were abused.

The man appeared before Ritavi Magistrate Court on Thursday where he was denied bail. His case was postponed to May 10, Friday this week. A 37 years-old mother, who allegedly knew about the incidents, is used as a state witness.

Meanwhile, Miranda Friedman, Director of Women Against Child Abuse said they are concerned that the child has been deprived of her basic human rights as she is not able to attend school, walk or even play.

"We are concerned that the mother has continuously protected her boyfriend during questioning and completely forsaken her children because she relied on him for food."