As the country marks the 16 days of no violence against women and children campaign, a six-week-old infant is fighting for her life in hospital after being raped, allegedly by her uncle in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
The 24-year-old man was arrested in Galeshewe on Wednesday and is expected to appear in court today.
The rape has been met with swift and angry calls for the culprit to be sent to jail for life.
The infant is now fighting for her life in a Kimberly hospital this morning after having undergone emergency surgery.
Women and Men against Child Abuse's Tanya Otto says South Africans can no longer stand by and do nothing.
She says the rape is a symptom of much deeper social problems.
"If we are ever going to make a difference to this scourge of child torture, rape and murder that is happening in South Africa, we need to be consistent in handing down hard sentences."
National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega has added her voice to a growing chorus of shock.
The commissioner is to meet with the mother of the baby today.
Phiyega says as a mother, she's shocked and deeply saddened.
It's alleged the man snatched the baby from her bed while the baby's mother and grandmother were watching television in the next room.
The man was later cornered by community members.
Meanwhile, the office of Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas has described the rape as barbaric.
Lucas's spokesperson Mafu Davids says they are shocked.
"The premier believes we must work together with the police and prosecutors to ensure that convicted rapists are given harsh sentences."
A prayer service today will be attended by Lucas, Phiyega and deputy police minister Makhotso Maggie Sotyu.
SOWETO TEACHER DENIED BAIL
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it hopes a decision to deny bail to a Soweto primary school teacher accused of raping a 10-year-old pupil will send a strong message to other offenders.
The young boy from Sedibathuto Primary School in Mapetla says he was raped during detention earlier this month.
The 44-year-old teacher appeared in the Protea Magistrates Court yesterday.
The NPA's Phindi Louw says, "It is a Schedule 6 Offence and the accused has failed to present exceptional circumstances to warrant his release on bail."
Earlier this week, a man arrested in connection with the murder of an eight-year-old Southern Cape girl appeared in court.
He was arrested after Shafeeka Baartman's body was discovered in Uniondale on Friday with her legs bound and a scarf tied around her neck.
It's alleged she'd been raped before being killed.
