By Augustine Ehikioya
Allegedly masterminding the abduction and raping a 13 years old girl, Police officials in South Africa have arraigned a suspect at Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 19 July, 2022.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, had vehemently condemned the incident.
But he had applauded cops for the arrest of the 28-year-old male who was earlier held up by the Police from Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for questioning.
A statement issued by Colonel Donald Mdhluli of the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Mpumalanga, was made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) on Wednesday.
It said “An incident regarding a 13-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted and raped in Witbank in the past week, has sent a shocking wave in the society.
“The suspect was charged with abduction as well as four counts of rape and appeared in the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court today, Tuesday, 19 July 2022 where his case was postponed to 02 August 2022 for a formal bail hearing meanwhile he was remanded in custody.”
The statement said investigation on the matter is still ongoing.
It said that The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela further came out strong on perpetrators of Gender-Based-Violence.
He said “A situation whereby women suffer violence under the hands of men who treat and regard women as objects will never be tolerated.
“The law should deal decisively with such perpetrators without fear or favour” said the General.