A 1-year-old girl was reportedly r*ped at a crèche in Newlands East in Durban, South Africa.

Her family, community and groups have called for justice to be served.

The incident allegedly occurred on May 6, 2024, when the other children at the daycare were taken for swimming lessons, and the girl was left behind because she was still wearing nappies.

Upon handing the baby over to the crèche owner, the owner told the mother that she, her husband and only two babies were on the premises.

When the baby was collected from the creche, she cried a lot. Once the mother inspected her daughter at home, she saw that her baby’s private part was swollen and red. The mother took the baby to the hospital but was sent away.

When she went to another doctor the following day, he identified clear signs of abuse but did not have a r*pe kit.

Two days later, a surgeon finally confirmed that there was indeed p3nis penetration and a case was opened against the suspect, who is the owner of the creche’s husband.

Following the mother’s post on social media about the horrific incident, there were further allegations that the suspect had r*ped another girl at the facility.

Newlands East police are investigating an alleged rape case.

Meanwhile, the grandmother of the victim, who did not want to be named to protect the child’s identity, shared the events that led to the tragic incident.

“On May 6, my daughter left the baby at the crèche at 8am. Upon handing the baby over to the crèche owner, the owner told my daughter that there were only two babies – the 1-year-11-month baby (i.e. my grandchild) and another baby – including herself and her husband on the premises as all the other children who were not wearing nappies went for swimming lessons,” the grandmother narrated.

“The officer also mentioned that no case was opened. She even said that she would take the child for social care. We explained that we have been sent up and down from the various hospitals, looking for a r*pe kit. We even showed her the referral letter from the GP. I even showed the video and pictures,” the grandmother said.

Upon showing the pictures and videos, the warrant officer could see that something was wrong and directed her to the Thuthuzela Care Centre, she said.

“We only received a district surgeon in the early hours of Thursday morning. The surgeon confirmed that there was indeed p3nis penetration. Later that evening, we opened a case at the Newlands East police station.

“They don’t have boys. As activists in the community, we did not know the husband has a s3xual offence and r*pe case history. Knowing that her husband has such a history, why did she open a crèche and leave the baby to the husband? At 8pm on Thursday, I was served with harassment papers from the crèche’s owner while I was on the call with the grandmother.”

Bernon asked if the owner and the alleged r*pist could be arrested and if the crèche could be shut down.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that Newlands East police are investigating an alleged r*pe case.