Police in Mpumalanga have confirmed that two men are facing charges of raping their respective daughters. In the first case, a 35-year-old man from Balfour appeared before the Balfour Magistrate’s Court, accused of raping his eight-year-old step-daughter. The case has been postponed to January 18 for legal representation, and the suspect remains in custody. The incident came to light when the victim’s mother, also the spouse of the accused, noticed suspicious behavior and confronted him. The girl later disclosed the alleged abuse, which is believed to have started last year. A team from the SAPS family violence, child protection, and sexual offences unit responded promptly, resulting in the suspect’s arrest.
In the second case, a 42-year-old man from Bethal is accused of raping his 13-year-old biological daughter. The man appeared in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court and is set to return on Friday for a formal bail application. The arrest followed an investigation by the family violence, child protection, and sexual offences unit. Reports indicate that the victim, who is now pregnant, faced threats and attempts to silence her with money. The stepmother eventually discovered the abuse, reported it to the police, and the case was assigned to the FCS unit.
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, commended the bravery of the two women who reported the abuse, emphasizing the need for more parents to speak out against such crimes. Last year, a similar case in Johannesburg led to a life imprisonment sentence for a Zimbabwean man who pleaded guilty to raping his 17-year-old biological daughter.
These incidents underscore the importance of reporting and addressing cases of child abuse to ensure justice for the victims.