Executive Mayor Bahula condemns recent surge of rapes
DENNILTON/GLEN COWIE – Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) Executive Mayor, Minah Bahula, has expressed shock following the recent incidents of rape of minor girls in separate occasions in parts of the region.
Two minor girls aged eight were allegedly raped by an elderly man in Elandsdoorin, Dennilton outside Groblersdal on Saturday, 2 November at about 9:00.
The alleged perpetrator was apprehended by members of the community and arrested on Sunday 3 November. The victims are learners at the local Ekucathuleni Primary School.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson, said the complainant alleged that she was at her residence when her uncle arrived and informed her that his child was raped.
Ledwaba stated that the complainant immediately accompanied her uncle to the victim’s residence and upon talking to her, she revealed that the known suspect lured her, together with her friend, into his house and ultimately raped them.
“Community members acted swiftly to apprehend the suspect. Preliminary investigations established that the two children went to the suspect’s house in need of assistance regarding their school project. He then took advantage and raped them. Police were notified about the incident. They opened two counts of rape and locked up the suspect for his shameful actions,” explained Ledwaba.
The Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, hailed the arrest of the suspect and further praised the community members for assisting to apprehend him.
In another separate shocking incident, a 17 year-old girl was allegedly raped by three men in Ward 9, Glen Cowie within Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality. No arrests have been made in this incident.
Executive Mayor Bahula condemned the surge of Gender-Based Violence (GBVF) in the district and emphasised the need for psychological support for the families of the victims.
She further called on communities to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators face the full might of the law.
“We are under siege as a district and we call for calm while we continue to monitor the wheels of justice to ensure they keep grinding and send a strong message to would-be perpetrators,” said Bahula.
The executive mayor urged for a collective war to be declared against GBVF, both in the society and in all aspects of life. “Our focus is to continue strengthening community-based interventions including awareness programmes in schools, workplaces and community centres to shift societal norms and address the root causes of GBVF,” added Bahula.
She reassured the community of the district’s commitment to monitor the progress of the cases and others to ensure that justice is served.
