| 2024/12/31 |
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Media Statement POLOKWANE – The Deputy Minister of Police, Ms. Polly Boshielo, together with the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms. Violet Mathye, MEC for Health, Ms. Dieketseng Mashego, Capricorn District Executive Mayor, Cllr Mamedupi Teffo, and other stakeholders focused on safety, attended the court appearance of a 28-year-old man accused of statutory rape earlier today, 30th December 2024 at Seshego Magistrates Court. The accused is reportedly the father of the child of a 13-year-old girl who gave birth at Seshego Hospital on Christmas Day. The case has been postponed to the 08th January 2025 for further profiling of the suspect and possible bail application. The Deputy Minister expressed her unwavering support to the victim and her family, emphasizing the need to protect children and the most vulnerable in society. In her interview, she stated that the South African Schools Act was amended through the BELA Act to enable anyone who witnesses a child under the age of 16 pregnant, including parents, to report the matter to the police and open a case docket. “I wish this heinous crime does not happen again. The scourge of teenage pregnancy is very bad in this country. For the financial year under review, 2023/2024, a total of 29,150 GBVF perpetrators were arrested. Out of them, 556 accused were handed down life sentences, 480 sentenced between 10 and 20 years, and 998 sentenced between 1 and 9 years. In Limpopo, there has been a challenge of rape cases involving children, especially in the Seshego and Matlala policing areas. I have instructed SAPS in the province to implement a programme to address these social issues. I will lead from the front, alongside the MEC for Health, the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, and the Executive Mayor of Capricorn,” she said. In conclusion, the Deputy Minister confirmed that 30 teenagers gave birth on Christmas Day and that a team of investigators have already been assembled to track down all the perpetrators. This will send a strong message that anyone who preys on young girls will face the full consequences of the law In line with the government’s commitment to care, the Deputy Minister Boshielo and her delegation visited the victim at Seshego Hospital to offer support to her and the family. A team of social workers have already been dispatched to offer psycho-social support to the victim and her family.
Police investigations are ongoing.
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