Limpopo CPF member arrested for raping stepdaughter

Police arrested a member of the Community Police Forum (CPF) in Vhembe, Limpopo, for allegedly raping his stepdaughter.

The Limpopo provincial commissioner of police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, said on Saturday that she was alarmed by reports that went viral on social media.

Social media posts claimed that South African Police Service (Saps) in Tshilwavhusiku arrested a Vhembe district CPF member for allegedly molesting his stepdaughter.

Social media posts about stepdaughter allegedly molested

Hadebe clarified that the member implicated in the rape incident is not the deputy secretary, as earlier reported and circulated on various social media platforms.

“We can confirm that a case of rape was registered at Tshilwavhusiku Police Station in Vhembe district following a complaint by a female victim, alleging that she was raped by her stepfather,” said police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.

“According to preliminary reports, the stepdaughter was threatened and instructed not to tell anyone about the rape ordeal or face death.”

ALSO READ: Limpopo man charged with statutory rape of 13-year-old Christmas Day mother

Police arrested the 61-year-old suspect after the incident on Thursday. The suspect, whose name is withheld to protect the victim’s identity, appeared before the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The court postponed the case until 13 January 2025 for further investigations. The stepfather will remain in custody until his next court appearance.

“We are, however, delighted that the police acted swiftly to arrest one of our own. The law must take its course without fear or favour.”

13-year-old stepdaughter raped in Eastern Cape

Earlier this month, the KwaMaqoma Regional Court in Eastern Cape sentenced a 30-year-old man to 20 years imprisonment for the rape of his 13-year-old stepdaughter between October and November 2022.

“It is alleged that in October 2022, while the victim was living with her mother and younger brother, the accused, who is her mother’s boyfriend, took advantage of the situation when her mother was intoxicated,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali.

ALSO READ: Police nab alleged Facebook serial rapist for attacking teen girls

“The victim was raped multiple times by him over an extended period, with incidents occurring both at night and during the day when the victim’s mother was under the influence of alcohol.”