MEC: Don’t charge mom who killed daughter’s alleged rapist

Eastern Cape Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta has added to the outcry over the arrest of a mother who allegedly killed a man who was raping her daughter.

The 44-year-old woman was arrested after she and other community members allegedly beat the man who was allegedly raping her disabled 20-year-old daughter. The incident happened at Hala No 2 in Cacadu, Eastern Cape.

The woman was later released on R500 bail.

More than 11 800 cases of rape were recorded between October and December last year. While this was a 3.3% reduction, the number is still staggering in a country where gender-based violence is prevalent.

ALSO READ: Statutory rape in South Africa: How many offenders were found guilty in the last 10 months?

‘Protecting her child’

The murder has sparked fierce debate, with Fanta saying the woman’s alleged actions needed to be understood “within the context of a desperate attempt to protect her child from a violent predator”.

“Any parent faced with such a traumatic situation would likely act in a similar manner.

“This case is not just about the actions of one individual; it reflects the broader societal issues of violence against women and children that we must confront as a nation,” she said.

Change how the legal system deals with GBV crimes – Fanta

Fanta called for charges against the woman to be dropped, citing the need for “a more compassionate and understanding legal framework regarding cases of self-defense and protection of vulnerable individuals”.

“We must ensure that our legal system is designed to protect the vulnerable rather than punish those who act in defense of their loved ones.

“We must prioritise the safety and well-being of our children and ensure that our justice system reflects the values of compassion and understanding,” she argued.

SA’s rape crisis

According to a recent police study of 9 057 counts of rape recorded, 63.1% or 5 711 counts took place within the residential premises of the perpetrator or that of the victim or those either known by the victim or perpetrator such as family, friend or neighbour’s place.

222 rape suspects were arrested in the first week of this month alone. Among these was the alleged assault of six minors.

Some of these cases included:

• A 58-year-old male teacher was arrested on 31 March for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old female learner at Capricorn District in Limpopo.
• A 79-year-old man arrested at Cottondale Trust in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, on 30 March for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl.
• A 54-year-old man arrested on 2 April 2025 for allegedly raping his 11-year-old neighbour on 31 March in the Ritavi policing area in Limpopo.
• A 24-year-old teacher arrested for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old female learner at a school premises in Nelspruit on 7 November.
• Two suspects aged 56 and 59 arrested on 4 April, and appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrates’ Court in North West, for the alleged rape of a 7-year-old minor in December 2024.
• A 36-year-old suspect who appeared before the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court on 7 April for allegedly raping his 4-year-old niece in Limpopo. 

NOW READ: Crime stats: Murder cases decrease by 9.8% – four provinces ‘dominate criminality’ in SA