A 58-year-old man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl is set to return to the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court later this month after his case was postponed to 22 April 2026, following a brief appearance on Tuesday.
The matter, which has drawn significant public attention, saw a large turnout outside the court as members of political parties, faith-based organisations and civil society groups gathered in support of the victim’s family. Protesters called for stronger action against gender-based violence and greater protection for children.
The accused, who was also a trusted member of the Dobsonville community in Soweto, is expected to return to court later this month as investigations continue.
Inside the court proceedings, the Department of Social Development confirmed the postponement and said support structures would remain in place for the affected family while working closely with civil society organisations.
Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko also joined the gathering outside court, where she expressed solidarity with the family and highlighted ongoing government engagement in gender-based violence cases.
“I was inside the court with a family and my team from the Department of Social Development. The magistrate has postponed the case to the 22nd of April,” she said. “We will still be here on the 22nd of April with all the NGOs that you can see, that are working with them in the Department of Social Development.”
Nkomo-Ralehoko said government and partner organisations would continue to provide support and follow up on similar cases.
“We have been supporting the family since this incident has happened, but we are not going to stop,” she said, adding that authorities would also strengthen coordination with courts and civil society structures.
“We are going to look into them, work with the NGOs and ensure that we revisit some of those court cases that have been there.”
Nkomo-Ralehoko said there was a need for stronger accountability in cases of gender-based violence.
“This is an important case that we must all take up,” she said. “We must expose each and every one that is doing this.”
“That register now for sex offenders, we are going to demand that register. Because we are going to work and make sure that everyone that is a sex offender is being known while publicising those registers to everyone in the communities. So that if you are sitting with a sex offender amongst the communities, he must go.”
In a statement, authorities revealed the alleged incident occurred earlier this month at a residence in Dobsonville, where the victim had been visiting with relatives. They said the matter is being treated as a priority investigation, with multiple forms of evidence collected for analysis.
“A medical examination was conducted and yielded findings consistent with injuries,” officials said.
They added that forensic teams had recovered material from the scene, including clothing and other items, while CCTV footage from the premises has also been secured for further investigation.
An adult witness reportedly discovered the victim and alerted authorities, with further evidence also forming part of the case docket.
“The matter is being handled with the necessary urgency, and investigations are continuing,” officials said.
The Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, has also weighed in on the matter, describing the incident as deeply disturbing and a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis of violence against children.
The department confirmed that a team of social workers has been dispatched to provide psychosocial support and trauma counselling to the child and her family.
“The Department noted with concern the incident and calls upon South Africans to report cases of this nature as they are part of the Gender Based Violence and Femicide which President Cyril Ramaphosa declared as a national disaster,” said Tolashe.
She further said the incident underscores the urgent need for communities to remain vigilant and report abuse, while assuring that support services will continue to be provided as the matter proceeds through the justice system.
Saturday Star