Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
13 February 2024
A pastor (39) appeared at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court today, Monday 12 February 2024, for allegedly raping a female member (15) of his church, while a grandfather (52) also appeared at the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping his granddaughter (07).
The incident involving the 15-year-old child reportedly occurred at the young girl’s residential place on 24 January 2024.
The victim finally broke her silence to concerned citizens on 07 February 2024.
The incident was eventually reported to the police. The case was assigned to the Acornhoek Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offenses (FCS) Unit, which investigated, leading to the arrest of the 39-year-old suspect on Friday, 09 February 2024.
During his court appearance, the suspect was remanded in custody, while the case was postponed to 15 February 2024 for a formal bail application.
The police also made a breakthrough on a rape case involving a seven-year-old girl allegedly raped by her grandfather (52).
Police arrested the suspect, and the incident is said to have taken place on 26 December 2023 in Bushbuckridge.
The girl also broke her silence after her mother had a conversation with her children regarding incidents of molestation and emphasized that they should not keep quiet about such incidents but rather report them immediately.
It was during this period that the little girl came out of the closet and talked about her ordeal.
After an investigation was conducted, the suspect was traced and apprehended, hence the court appearance.
The suspect was remanded in custody during his appearance, and the case was postponed to 19 February 2024 for a formal bail application.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has welcomed the arrest of the two suspects.
The general also raised her concern regarding allegations of minors being raped by adults who are supposed to be protective of the young ones.
“Adults should protect children who are the future. We trust in the wheels of justice and hope that justice will be served for the two victims, ” said the general.
