The Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo, has blamed mpesu – a traditional sex-drive booster – for the high rate of rape cases in the Vhembe District.
Addressing more than 2,000 gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide activists at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Friday afternoon, Dr Boshielo said it was believed that some local men might be consuming large quantities of mpesu and then embarking on rape sprees when the substance took effect, particularly when their partners were not around.
"We are calling on all men to stop abusing women and children in the Vhembe District. We are here because cases of rape are increasing at an alarming rate. Thohoyandou ranks number one in rape cases in this province. Are men drinking too much mpesu? We will leave no stone unturned in our fight against rapists in this country. We are warning all perpetrators of crime that their days are numbered," she said.
Dr Boshielo appealed to all victims of crime to break the silence and report perpetrators to law-enforcement authorities in order to help make the area a peaceful place to live.
The executive mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality, Frida Nkondo, said Thohoyandou had once been known for peace, educational excellence and economic prosperity.
"If we come together as a people, we can reclaim our glorious days as a trendsetter for peace and stability in our beautiful district," she said.
Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli of the Mphaphuli dynasty urged the youth to reject criminal activities and substance abuse, and also warned community members against harbouring illegal immigrants.