A 22 YEAR-OLD MALE SUSPECT REMANDED IN CUSTODY FOR ALLEGED RAPE OF 14 YEAR-OLD GIRL
POLOKWANE: A 22 year-old male suspect nabbed by the South African Police Service in Makhado under Vhembe District in connection with a statutory rape of a 14 year-old female victim was remanded in custody when he appeared today 24 April 2025.
It is reported that the victim departed her residence at Phadzima village under Vhulaudzi precinct to visit her friend at Maelula village on Saturday 19 April 2025.
Later on, the victim decided to go back home and she was accompanied by her friend to take a minibus to her residence but did not succeed because it was very late.
Afterward, a 14 year-old girl then decided to go and sleep at the residence of 22 year-old male suspect alleged to be her boyfriend. The next day on Sunday 20 April 2025, the victim went home and told her grandmother that she slept at a boyfriend’s place upon her arrival at Phadzima village.
The grandmother immediately rushed to the local police and reported the matter. A statutory rape case was opened and an immediate manhunt for the suspect commenced for his apprehension.
On Wednesday 23 April 2025 at about 03:15, a 22 year-old male was subsequently nabbed while at Maelula village.
The suspect appeared before the Mphephu Regional court on Thursday 24 April 2025. He was remanded in police custody and his case was postponed to 02 May 2025 for bail application and further police investigations.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Major General Samuel Manala applauded the grandmother for taking a stand against abuse of the vulnerable group. ‘The bold step by the grandmother of the victim to report the incident is highly commendable” Concluded Major General Manala
Police investigations are continuing.
