[imagesource: Supplied to News24]

Following an extensive investigation, News24 has dubbed 69-year-old Marius Pistorius (above) ‘the Melkbos Monster’.

He stands accused of sexually assaulting multiple children who attended Babbel & Krabbel crèche in Melkbosstrand near Cape Town, founded by his wife, 63-year-old Annet Pistorius.

The allegations against Marius and Annet have been covered in great detail and the story made waves last week.

At the time, Annet issued a strong denial, saying she “does not accept that my husband, whom I have known for 38 years, could have perpetrated the crimes of removing children from my care, taking them to our home and molesting them”.

She also sent a letter to parents saying “the security and safety of our children remains our number one priority”.

In a follow-up News24 article published this morning, she said attendance at the crèche was suffering as a result of the allegations:

Annet told News24 that only 66 of the 88 pupils came to school on Tuesday. She said she was unsure whether this was a result of the reportage or whether the children were ill.

Countless threats have been received by phone and email, she said.

She had informed police about the harassment, but did not lay any criminal charges as patrols in the vicinity of Babbel & Krabbel have increased, she said.

66 from 88 is a solid 75% of children still attending the crèche, despite allegations of sexual abuse and rape being made by seven toddlers dating as far back as 2011.

I found that shockingly high but desperation from the side of parents also plays a role. News24 spoke with a parent shortly after they had dropped off their child:

“We’re trying to put our kid in another school, but we’re struggling. There’s a waiting list,” she explained.

Image: Tammy Petersen / News24

She has a full-time job, she said. She kept her child from school on Monday as she tried to find an alternative crèche, but he returned to Babbel & Krabbel on Tuesday after being assured by his teacher that the child was safe…

“Hopefully, we will get a place sooner. But I can’t take my child out – where are we going to go?”

That is grim.

The decision may soon be taken out of parents’ hands as the landlord, the Hervormde Church, is considering terminating the lease.

Johann Smith of the Cape Town parish told News24 that the church “has already started the process of getting legal advice about this and related matters” and intends to make a decision by the weekend.

[sources:news24&news24]