A MOTHER’S PAIN

Abstract

The Commission received a complaint from Ms. Fatuma Bakari alleging that she had reported a defilement incident of her 14 year old daughter Ms. Nina Bakari at the Kayole Police Station on 23rd August, 2011, and no action had been taken six months later. Ms. Fatuma Bakari also alleged that she reported a subsequent kidnapping incident of the same minor at the Soweto Police Station on 12th September 2011 and that similarly the Police took no action against the alleged kidnapper. In the statement recorded with CAJ in regard to defilement, Ms. Fatuma Bakari stated that on 23rd August 2011, while still at her place of work, she received a telephone call from a neighbor informing her that her daughter, Ms. Nina Bakari had been sexually assaulted. The objectives of the investigations were: i. To conduct preliminary investigations to verify the allegations raised against the Kayole and Soweto Police Stations ii. To conduct in-depth investigations and establish the facts of the matters. iii. To establish reasons for the change of charges from kidnapping to creating disturbance. iv. To recommend appropriate action that needs to be undertaken to settle the complaints v. To give appropriate recommendations to relevant government agencies on matters arising from the investigations. vi. To give advisories to government for change of policy where possible or on measures to be taken.