In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community and ignited urgent calls for enhanced child safety measures at crèches, Limpopo authorities have strongly condemned the brutal rape of a three-year-old girl in Springs village, Botlokwa.
The provincial leaders, including MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, and Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, have voiced their serious concern over the appalling crime allegedly committed by a 66-year-old transport driver linked to a local crèche.
The suspect, Selaelo Justice Mongalo, was swiftly arrested and is now facing the full force of the law, with his case drawing national attention to the need for meticulous background checks and continuous monitoring of all individuals entrusted with the care of South Africa's most vulnerable citizens.
The suspect, identified as 66-year-old Selaelo Justice Mongalo, appeared in the Morebeng Magistrate Court on October 1, 2025, following his arrest by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Polokwane on Monday, 29 September 29.
Reports indicate that on Friday, 25 September 2025, at approximately 6.30pm, Mongalo, who is employed as a transport driver for a local crèche, dropped the child off at her home. After noticing the child seemed restless and began complaining of pains, the guardian took her to a medical facility where the truth was confirmed: the child had been raped.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Mongalo, the husband of the crèche owner and responsible for transporting children, delivered the child home later than expected on that day. It was following this delayed return that the child exhibited signs of distress, raising alarms for her guardian.
A case was initially lodged at the Botlokwa SAPS, but it was swiftly transferred to the Polokwane FCS unit for a thorough investigation. Mongalo has been remanded in custody until October 8, 2025, when he will present a formal bail application.
Lieutenant General Hadebe commended law enforcement’s rapid response in apprehending the suspect. “We will ensure a thorough investigation, the perpetrator is held accountable, and the victim is supported and protected at every step,” he stated. He added that only through a tireless search for justice can healing begin for the community scarred by such violence.
MEC Mathye underscored the urgent need for vigilance, emphasising that those tasked with caring for and transporting children undergo meticulous background checks and continuous monitoring. “We condemn in the strongest terms this despicable act of violence against a defenceless child,” she stated. “When violence is inflicted upon a child, it is not just an attack on the individual but an assault on the very fabric of our society.”
This tragic case has ignited a dialogue around child safety and the implications of trusting care services with the wellbeing of our most vulnerable citizens. As the community grapples with the repercussions of this event, the call for action and enhanced protective measures grows ever more vital.
Saturday Star