Free after a life in bondage

Chained to a bed allegedly for eight years by his parents, a nine-year-old Johannesburg boy has never known freedom.

As the youngster yesterday received counselling from social workers, his father appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on charges of child neglect.

The boy, along with his two brothers and a sister, who is believed to be pregnant, were freed on Friday after police acted on a tip-off that the four were being kept chained up in Alexandra.

The siblings, aged 9, 14, 18 and 24, have allegedly never been to school or received medical attention.

All showed visible signs of injuries to their ankles and wrists.

The rescue follows the release a fortnight ago of five Springs children, who were allegedly held captive for years by their father.

Friday's rescue came after the 24-year-old, who is believed to be mentally disabled, escaped from his family's two-roomed home in Nobuhle hostel in Alexandra.

A police source said a neighbour, who heard a commotion as the man dragged his son back to their house, alerted police.

"When police arrived they found the front door chained shut. They managed to force their way inside where they found the children chained up in the bedroom.

"They were in a terrible condition ... they were terrified. They were so scared.

"They appear to have never gone to school. Never been outside of their home," the officer said.

The officer said detectives were investigating whether the teenage daughter was pregnant and, if so, who had impregnated her.

"This is an incredibly sensitive case. Social workers are trying to establish whether the children are mentally disabled," he said.

Alexandra resident Musa Mabika said the children's father worked as a gardener in Sandton.

"None of the neighbours knew they had children. The house was always locked. The children were never heard. It is a total shock."

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "They were very private and kept to themselves."

She said the father told neighbours that he was afraid for his children and didn't want them to get hurt if they went outside.

"How can you do this to your children and keep them chained up like animals?" she asked.