We call for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to take definitive action.
A young boy from Limpopo was coerced into having sex with his police officer mom. The horrific accident was filmed and circulated on social media recently.
The boy has been sent to a place of safety and is undergoing counseling. According to the Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offence, unit was tasked with investigating the incident.
Sonke demands that this case takes priority. Violence and rape against minors is a plummeting issue in South Africa; one in five children is a victim of sexual abuse. This is according to 2019/2020 Annual Crime Statistics presented by SAPS. More than 24 000 children were sexually assaulted in South Africa during that period.
In the past year, the statistics against children is shocking. 243 children have been murdered and 1 670 cases of assault with grievous bodily harm against children have been reported.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has also launched an investigation. As their role, the IPID investigates any rape by a police officer, whether the police officer is on or off duty.
The abuse of power by South African authorities is unacceptable. We hope SAPS and IPID will take immediate action and hold the officer accountable. It is key that the investigation process is transparent and thorough to give confidence to the citizens that such behaviour especially by those enjoined to uphold the law is taken very serious.
Media enquiries
Bafana Khumalo, Co-Executive Director, and Co-Chairperson, Global MenEngage Alliance: bafana@genderjustice.org.za or 082 -578-4479.
Notes to editors
Sonke is a South African-based non-profit organisation working throughout Africa. We believe women and men, girls and boys can work together to resist patriarchy, advocate for gender justice, and achieve gender transformation.
