Another horrendous rape is reported in South Africa, this time of a baby girl just one week old. In this country, there is a widespread belief that AIDS will be warded off by having sexual relations with the youngest possible partner.
The girl in question is in hospital, in a stable but critical situation, according to South African police sources. Witch doctors are blamed for spreading the notion that sexual relations with young partners will provide the perpetrator with a shield against AIDS.
There have been numerous similar cases in recent months in South Africa. Last year, there were 21,000 cases of child rape reported to police but this is said to be just the tip of the iceberg, since the vast majority of cases go unreported and only 9% of rape accusations result in a conviction