Police arrest 222 rape suspects in just a week, minors among victims

In a shocking statistic, Gauteng police arrested 222 rape suspects in just one week, including seven for the rape of minors.

The suspects were handcuffed between 31 March and 6 April 2025.

Fighting GBV

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said several takedowns were effected, which include the arrest of those who are alleged to have raped and violated minors.

“Police continue to intensify their fight against GBVF-related crimes through investigation and numerous  tracing operations across the country.”

Rape cases

Mathe said the seven suspects arrested for allegedly raping minors are between the ages of 24 and 79.

ALSO READ: Tshwane not aware of Justice For Cwecwe ‘shutdown’ march application

These include the following cases:

• A 58-year-old male teacher was arrested on 31 March 2025 for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old female pupil at Capricorn District in Limpopo.

• A 79-year-old man was arrested at Cottondale Trust in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, on 30 March 2025 for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl.

• A 54-year-old man was arrested on 02 April 2025 for allegedly raping his 11-year-old neighbour on 31 March 2025 in the Ritavi policing area in Limpopo.

• A 24-year-old teacher was arrested for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old female pupil at a school premises in Nelspruit on 07 November 2025. The suspect was released pending further investigation. However, the probe has since continued, and the docket has been submitted to the DPP for a decision.

• Two suspects, aged 56 and 59, were arrested on 04 April 2025 and appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrate’s Court in North West for the alleged rape of a 7-year-old minor in December 2024.

• A 36-year-old suspect appeared before the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court on 7 April 2025 for allegedly raping his 4-year-old niece in Limpopo.

Cwecwe

The release of the weekly stats by police comes amid outcry over the alleged rape of seven-year-old Cwecwe.

Cwecwe’s mother was forced to turn to social media after her child was reported raped in October last year.

On Friday, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that three persons of interest had been identified.

A “shutdown” protest in Pretoria was set to be held on Tuesday in Tshwane, calling for justice in the case.

Police visibility

Mathe said that police are “hard at work in stamping the authority of the state” through high-visibility patrols, stop-and-searches, and the tracing of wanted suspects.

ALSO READ: SANDF member gets 20 years for raping superior’s teen daughter