There are some stories you wish you never had to tell. This is one of them.
In the heart of Hanover Park, a young girl’s innocence was stolen. She is only 9 years old—a child still learning to tie her shoelaces, still clutching her schoolbooks with pride, still trying to make sense of the world. Now, that world will never be the same.
The man accused of shattering her life is 51-year-old Igshaan Williams, a name that sends shivers through the community. He’s not a stranger to this kind of crime. In 2005, he was convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl. Last year, in November 2024, he was released on parole.
And then it happened again.
On what should have been a normal day, the little girl was heading to madrasa when Williams allegedly called her over and asked her to buy milk. Nothing unusual for a community where neighbours often ask small favours of each other. She returned, placed the milk in the kitchen like he asked—then he locked the door.
She was given bread that made her drowsy. Hours later, after her family raised the alarm, she was found curled up in his yard, traumatized and silent. Let that sink in. A 9-year-old, drugged, allegedly violated, and left like a discarded piece of paper.
When Williams appeared in court last Friday, the room was tense. Community members packed the gallery. The media requested permission to take his photograph.