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While the country is still trying to recover from the scourge of teenage pregnancy that came to the fore during festive season, another rape case of a minor emerges, a 13 year old child being consistently raped by a close family friend.
The Free State Department of Social Development has expressed shock after learning of the gruesome incident of a 13 year old girl from Thaba Nchu being consistently dragged and raped multiple times by a 44 year old close family friend, who was later arrested on 30 December 2024.
The Spokesperson for the department Mr Thembile Nqabeni said MEC Ms Mathabo Leeto has since directed social workers and officials to visit the family and provide psycho-social support and family counselling.
Nqabeni said MEC Leeto strongly condemns this “barbaric act of crime” rape, drugging and subsequent impregnation of a 13-year-old child in Thaba Nchu.
“The Department is confident that the judicial system will ensure that justice is served for this young girl, with the perpetrator receiving the harshest sentence. Partnership between Department of Social Development, Department of Health, and Department of Education will be strengthened to ensure continued support to the child and her family, as we are nearing the re-opening of the schools for 2025. As the Department we will also engage households through our Molo Makhelwane Program to promote moral regeneration and neighbourhood protection,” said Nqabeni.
“The rape of one woman is a degradation and limitation to all women. Therefore, our communities should be each other’s security and protection, so that we are able to root out such monsters and criminals who continue to abuse children and women in our neighbourhood,” he concluded.
The government of South Africa has expressed concern over the high rate of teenage pregnancies that came into the spotlight during festive season, children birthing children and their lives being disrupted. Most of them were taken advantage of by adults; a concerning trend especially amongst the poor. Most of the perpetrators are now facing a case of statutory rape.
