The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has urged parents and caregivers to be extra vigilant over the safety of their children this festive season and beyond. This follows an alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in Ritavi policing precinct on Wednesday, 27 December 2023.
A 22-year-old male suspect has already been apprehended at Mohlaba Cross village and will appear before Ritavi Magistrates’ Court soon.
According to the police report, the mother of the 14-year-old girl was at home when she discovered that her daughter did not come back and started to search her in vain at the village.
Later on, the mother was contacted through a cellphone and informed that her daughter has returned home. On arrival, her daughter reported that she slept in a house with a known 22-year-old male suspect who later raped her in Mohlaba Cross village.
The victim subsequently went to the scene with her family but the suspect was not found in the residence.
The incident was reported at the Ritavi SAPS and an immediate manhunt of the suspect was activated, resulting in the suspect being arrested in the policing area.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo,Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has urged parents to keep their children safe. “Parents and caregivers must be extra vigilant over the safety and whereabouts of their children. They must supervise them at all times especially in malls, movie theatres, parks and public bathrooms. Everyone has the responsibility to ensure that children in their care are safe and protected at all times,” said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
“Parents and caregivers should have discussions on general safety precautions with their children. It is also essential that children be trained to be aware of their surroundings, how to identify a threat and how to react, “added Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
Police investigations are continuing.
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