A 47-year-old senior official in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) office in Limpopo appeared in the Dzanani Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, April 30, charged with two counts of raping of a 16-year-old girl.
The rapes occurred on different occasions over three years. The identities of the accused and his victim have been withheld.
According to court documents, the alleged abuse began in 2022 when the victim was just 13 years old. The most recent incident occurred on April 29 2025.
Lured to his home
The victim claims the accused lured her to his residence, where he sexually abused her in his garage. She eventually confided in her mother, who informed the girl’s uncle. The family promptly reported the matter to the Dzanani police.
Given the accused’s prominence within the justice system, the case has sent shockwaves through the community.
NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Dzhangi confirmed the matter. He said the identities of the accused and the victim have not been divulged to safeguard the legal process.
Allegations deemed serious
“During accused’s first court appearance on 30 April… the prosecution outlined the severity of the allegations. It noted the prolonged nature of the abuse. The defence has not yet entered a plea, and the case was postponed to 8 May 2025. Legal experts anticipate a contentious bail hearing. This given the gravity of the charges and the accused’s influential role,” said Dzhangi.
The incident has renewed calls for stronger measures to protect vulnerable minors from sexual violence. Local authorities assured the public that the case would be handled diligently. The victim’s well-being and justice will be prioritised, they said.
Crime stats
In the 2022/23 crime statistics by Statistics SA, as reported by government, 19 418 reported cases of common assault and assault with GBH crimes were committed against children. This made up about 45,0% of all reported crimes against children in this period.
Rape was the most reported crime against children, accounting for 38,3% of all cases involving minors. Although the number of incidents has decreased, it remains a significant concern due to its traumatic impact on young victims.
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