A Limpopo government official accused of raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter with the help of her mother made a brief court appearance on charges of rape.

The 42-year-old man, whose name has been withheld to protect the child’s identity, works for the Department of Correctional Services.

On October 2, he appeared in the Lulekani Magistrate’s Court in Phalaborwa with his 46-year-old wife, who is also accused of aiding him in raping the juvenile.

“The victim’s stepfather as well as the minor’s mother, who reportedly assisted the perpetrator to commit the crime, were arrested at their home on Monday, September 25,” said Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.

Ledwaba said the couple was arrested after the victim reported the matter to the police, who opened a rape docket and transferred it to the Phalaborwa Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit.

It is alleged that when the victim refused to sleep with her stepfather, both parents assaulted her and forcibly took her to the bedroom, where the perpetrator sexually assaulted her. At the same time, her own mother allegedly held her down to enable the sexual assault.

Ledwaba stated that the perpetrators were apprehended on September 24 at Lulekani Township, Phalaborwa, in Limpopo’s Mopani District.

He said the suspects made their initial court appearance on Tuesday, September 26, and were remanded in custody until yesterday, when they were granted bail. 

According to Ledwaba, the male has been charged with rape and the mother has been charged with being an accomplice to rape.

To safeguard the victim, the identity of the suspects cannot be revealed.

The pair are presently out on bail of R2,000 each, and the case was postponed to November 24 for further investigation.

Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, has vehemently condemned the act.  

“The alleged behaviour of the parents against their own child is very shameful and disturbing. Parents and guardians are tasked with the huge responsibility to raise their children in a respectful and responsible manner,” said Hadebe.

“All the children deserve to be protected and never be abused by anyone, including their parents.”