Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
13 June 2025
The police in Leslie are investigating an inquest case following the death of a 45-year-old man who allegedly took his own life after being accused of raping his biological daughter.
According to information received, the alleged sexual abuse began in 2017, when the daughter was 17 years old. She only disclosed the incidents to her biological mother in 2024. Deeply disturbed by the revelations, the mother chose to separate from the suspect but did not report the matter to the police at the time.
The situation escalated in 2025, when the suspect allegedly began harassing both the mother and the daughter, who is now 25 years old at their place of residence. This prompted the victim and her mother to report the matter to the police, and a case of rape was officially opened.
Before the suspect could be arrested, he allegedly contacted a relative on Thursday, 12 June 2025, and informed her that he had ingested poison because a rape case had been opened against him. Emergency services and police responded to the call, but the man was declared dead at the scene.
An inquest docket has been opened, and police investigations are continuing.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has strongly condemned the alleged acts of abuse and urged communities to report sexual crimes immediately. “We commend the victim for her courage in coming forward. Sexual abuse has no place in our society. We urge anyone who is a victim or witness to such crimes to seek help and report the matter without delay,” said the General.
