Johannesburg: The police have said the loss of morals is a cause of concern in South African society after a 17-year-old suspect was arrested for allegedly raping his 54-year-old aunt on numerous occasions in Kameelpoort, Mpumalanga.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the case was reported to the police by the suspect’s aunt, who lost her patience as she could no longer handle the abuse.
“The aunt alleges that the suspect started his evil deeds between April 2022 and early September 2022. It is further alleged that the victim warned him multiple times to stop his abuse, but the plea reportedly fell on deaf ears,” Mdhluli said.
She subsequently reported the matter to the authorities and the case was assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
The case was investigated and the suspect was arrested on Thursday and the 17-year-old appeared in the Mbibana Magistrate’s Court on Friday but the matter was postponed to Monday. The suspect was remanded in custody.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has raised concerns regarding cases which happen behind closed doors and mostly go unreported.
"Women should break the silence on gender-based violence issues which have engulfed our communities. This calls for all of us to commit ourselves in fighting this pandemic,” Manamela said.
The Star