Infant rape sparks outrage

A six-week-old infant is fighting for her life after being allegedly raped by her uncle in the lastest case of gender-based violence in South Africa that sparked outrage in South Africa, Xinhua news agency reported.

The latest incident took place as the country observes 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children launched by President Jacob Zuma on Monday.

The 24-year-old suspect was believed to have snatched the baby from her bed while its mother and grandmother were watching television in the next room in Kimberly, Northern Cape Province on Tuesdsay.

The infant underwent emergency surgery on Wednesday and remained in a critical but stable condition the following day, the Northern Cape Health Department said.

The office of Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas described the rape as barbaric.

"The premier believes we must work together with the police and prosecutors to ensure that convicted rapists are given harsh sentences," said Lucas's spokesperson Mafu Davids.

South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world with children and women often becoming easy targets for criminals.

Statistics announced by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa last year showed combined sexual offences including rape and indecent assault indicate an upward trend of 2.1 percent in 2010/11 from 2009/2010.

Murder cases of women increased by 5.6 percent and sexual offences against children increased by 2.6 percent during this period.

Data from the Children's Institute at the University of Cape Town showed an average of three children are murdered every day in South Africa.