Bishop Lavis police are investigating the rape of an eight-month-old baby in Bonteheuwel.
The child’s family have refused to speak to the media, directing all enquiries to the ward councillor, Angus Mckenzie.
According to Mr Mckenzie, the baby was left in the care of her grandmother while her mother went to work on Saturday June 29.
When the mother returned later and changed her baby’s nappy, she noticed her daughter’s vagina was red, swollen, and bleeding.
The mother took her baby to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and she was sent to Karl Bremer Hospital where a DNA test was done.
Bishop Lavis police station’s spokesman Brigadier Christopher Jones said a rape case was opened at the station.
Police needed witness statements to make an arrest.
Mr McKenzie said the incident was both heartbreaking and sickening and the community needed to unite to find the perpetrator.
“I will fight bail for any individual arrested for this disgusting act and will ensure that with everything in my power that the heaviest and stiffest sentence is dealt to this individual.
“This young baby needs a united community to grow from this.
“We need to be in one voice condemning this moral decay of our society in the strongest terms.
“I am shattered but remain hopeful that this incident will not only unite our community but also give this baby the future she deserves,” he said.
Provincial health department spokesman Mark van der Heever said: “The department cannot comment on this matter as it involves a minor and the matter is dealt with by the police.”