Limpopo mother in court for allegedly concealing daughter's rape by son
An 18-year-old Limpopo man and his mother, aged 35, are set to appear before the Letsitele Magistrate’s Court in connection with the rape of a nine-year-old girl.
The horrendous rape incident happened at Lwandlamuni village in the Letsitele policing area under Mopani District.
IOL reported on Sunday that the 18-year-old man accused of raping his nine-year-old sister, together with their mother, who is charged with failing to report the crime, is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, said the rape-accused teenager appeared in court on Friday, where he was remanded in custody on a charge of rape.
His mother was arrested on Saturday, and charged with failure to report a crime.
“It is reported that on 20 August 2025 at approximately 8 am, police officers on duty at N’wa Mitwa satellite police station were approached by community members from Lwandlamuni village who brought both the victim and the suspect to the station,” said Mashaba.
The concerned community members informed police officers that the nine-year-old victim had disclosed to them that she had been sexually assaulted by her brother on 8 August at their family residence.
“During the police interview, the victim alleged that her brother called her into the house where the incident occurred,” said Mashaba.
A case of rape has been registered at Letsitele police station and has been transferred to the Tzaneen family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit for further investigation.
Mashaba said the arrested mother will join her son in the dock when they both appear in the Letsitele Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Police investigations are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has applauded the community members of Lwandlamuni village for their courage in standing up for the victim and bringing both the child and the suspect to the police station.
“We commend the community for their swift action resulting in the matter being (brought) to the authorities. This demonstrates the important role that communities play in protecting our most vulnerable members, particularly women and children.
“We encourage all communities to continue speaking out against all forms of violence perpetrated against women and children. We also urge them to support survivors in their quest to seek justice,” said Hadebe.
Last year, IOL reported that a 48-year-old woman was arrested in Limpopo after she allegedly murdered her 18-year-old wheelchair-bound son.
The 48-year-old mother allegedly chopped off her son’s head, in an incident described as “shocking” by the police in Limpopo.
The incident happened at Leshikishiki village, in Lebowakgomo policing area.
“A report was lodged about the murder of a young man at around 1 pm on May 3, 2024. Upon arrival of the police at the scene, next to a local tavern, they found the decapitated body of an 18-year-old man lying on his wheelchair and his head on the ground,” Mashaba said at the time.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News