This after a girl (13) from Thaba Nchu, was allegedly repeatedly drugged and raped by a close family friend resulting in the arrest of the suspect (44) on 30 December. MEC Mathabo Leeto and her department have expressed shock over the incident, describing it as a “barbaric act of crime”.

Department spokesperson Thembile Nqabeni highlighted South Africa’s alarming teen pregnancy rates, as reported by Statistics SA. Between March 2021 and April 2022 90,037 girls aged 10 to 19 gave birth. Among them, 660 were under the age of 13.

In response to the incident, Leeto directed social workers to provide psychosocial support and family counselling to the victim and her family. The department is also partnering with the Departments of Health and Education to ensure continued support as schools reopen in 2025.

The Molo Makhelwane programme, aimed at fostering moral regeneration and neighbourhood protection, will meanwhile be intensified by the department to prevent such crimes.

“The rape of one woman is a degradation and limitation to all women,” Leeto said. “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 neighbourhoods.” 

SA Society of Psychiatrists member Dr Sibongile Mashapu has warned about the long-term consequences of GBV on children. 

“Children (who) grow up surrounded by conflict may show behavioural problems such as aggression, poor social skills, academic problems, and criminal behaviour.

”The Free State has witnessed a rise in murders of women and other GBV-related crimes, prompting provincial leadership and organisations to take a united stand. Community campaigns and heightened law enforcement efforts have been launched.”

Social Development expressed confidence in the judicial system, calling for the harshest sentence for the perpetrator.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh