The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, Thembi Hadebe, has expressed deep concerns regarding the increasing incidents of rape involving minors in the province.
Recent cases of sexual assault allegedly committed by boys under the age of 12 have raised alarm and prompted a call for action.
Presenting the province’s third-quarter crime statistics in February, Hadebe highlighted the rise in gender-based violence (GBV) cases against children under the age of 18, as well as sexual assault incidents. This concerning trend has led to a reevaluation of the province’s GBV plan and an effort to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance capabilities and closely monitor the situation.
Two recent incidents have brought attention to the severity of the issue. In the first incident that took place on Thursday in Topanama village, a six-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by her nine-year-old twin neighbours while they were playing.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the victim’s mother found out about the matter after the little girl broke her silence.
She told her that she was assaulted, allegedly by the two boys while they were playing.
The second incident that took place on Friday in Makhushane village involved a five-year-old girl who was gang-raped by five minor boys, including her 11-year-old biological brother.
The children, aged between 10 and 11, are all friends of the victim’s brother.
These cases have been transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses Unit for further investigation.
Hadebe emphasizes the importance of fostering environments where children are educated on respect, consent, and the significance of protecting one another from harm. She calls on parents and guardians to instil values of empathy and understanding in their children, making the home the first classroom for lessons of dignity and respect.
Addressing the issue of violence and abuse against children requires the collective effort of society. Hadebe urges every citizen to take action and unite to protect children and build a safer, more compassionate society for all.
 in Limpopo expresses concerns about the increasing incidents of rape involving minors in the province.){kind=link}