The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has strongly condemned an incident in which two suspects were arrested after a 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her stepfather on 24 September 2023 at Lulekani outside Phalaborwa in Mopani District.
The victim's stepfather, aged 42, who is a Department of Correctional Services Official, as well as the minor's mother, aged 46, who reportedly assisted the perpetrator in committing the crime, were arrested at their home on Monday, 25 September 2023. The couple was arrested after the victim reported the matter to the Police. A case of rape was opened and then transferred to the Phalaborwa Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation.
It is alleged that when the victim refused to sleep with her stepfather, both suspects assaulted her and forcibly took her to the bedroom, where the perpetrator raped her while her mother pinned her down.
The suspects made their first court appearance on Tuesday, 26 September 2023. They were remanded in custody until they were each granted R2000-00 bail when they appeared again before the Lulekani Magistrate's Court on Monday, 02 October 2023. Their case was postponed until 24 November 2023 for further police investigations. The man was charged with rape, and the mother was charged with being an accomplice in the rape case. The identity of the suspects cannot be disclosed to protect the victim.
"The alleged behaviour of the parents against their child is shameful and disturbing. Parents and guardians are tasked with the huge responsibility of raising their children respectfully and responsibly so that they, in turn, grow to be responsible future parents. All the children deserve to be protected and never be abused by anyone, including their parents," concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
Police investigations are continuing.
