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Picture courtesy- SAPS
Mavhungunekuvule Mungomeni
The Limpopo police are currently investigating an incident where a Fourteen- year- old girl was allegedly dragged by her former boyfriend while attending a local football match at showground. It is alleged that she was repeatedly assaulted for two days in Mutsha Khwekhwe, a village in Levubu, Thohoyandou.
SAPS on the victim who was assaulted by her partner
The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported, that the Thohoyandou Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offense (FCS) Unit is pursuing a male suspect who allegedly assaulted his former girlfriend. The victim told the police that the harrowing incident occurred between the 16th and 18th of March 2024, while she was attending a local football match when the perpetrator, identified as her former boyfriend, forced her to his residence, where he repeatedly assaulted her.
The traumatized victim was eventually released after two days, while her family was unaware of the incident. SAPS on Media Statement said, “Upon reaching home, the victim confided in her aunt, who promptly assisted her in reporting the heinous crime. A case of rape was opened, and the police are diligently working to locate and apprehend the suspect. The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, had ordered police to track down and apprehend the suspect to face the full might of the law.” The authorities are currently investigating the alleged assault and are looking for the suspect, with all necessary resources dedicated to ensuring justice for the victim.
These cases of assault have become a norm in Limpopo especially in Thohoyandou. Children have to live in fear due to the occurrence of these scary incidents. On Saturday March 9th 2024, a three-year-old was assaulted by two minors while playing. Lieutenant General Hadebe said, “young individuals are increasing being subjected to sexualization and abuse, both from adults and other children.”Although the victim will be provided with all the support from her family and social workers, the healing process will take time depending on what the victim suffered in the hands of her former boyfriend. She was lucky to have survived the assault as many of gender-based-violence cases lead to death.
The authorities need to work hard with the community to catch the perpetrator before he continues to victimize other girls. In the meantime, parents should always be aware of their children’s whereabouts to help prevent the alarming rise of assault cases.
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