Mother in court on charges that she used daughter as sex slave

A mother who allegedly allowed her teenage daughter to be used as a sex slave by the mother’s male friend has been arrested and is out on bail. The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her minor daughter, was arrested on 22 December after the girl had laid charges against her. The 40-year-old woman is accused of forcing her 17-year-old daughter to perform sexual acts with the mother’s male friend in exchange for money and other luxuries.

In December last year, the girl seemingly reached out for help, and she was encouraged to report the matter to the police. One of the people who stepped in to assist the girl was Ms Denga “Rita Dee” Nephawe of Rita Dee Entertainment, a local PR/artist management company. She told Limpopo Mirror on Tuesday that she had helped rescue the girl from her home in Shayandima on 22 December. She said that the mother had first appeared in court in the first week of January but had been denied bail. The mother was only granted bail on Monday, 15 January, in what seemed to have been a “private” bail hearing.

After the mother was released on bail, the girl resorted to social media to highlight her alleged plight. In one such posting, she states that her mother had introduced her to the perpetrator in September 2021. “At first, her arrangement with him appeared to be fatherly. He bought me expensive clothes, took us on luxurious trips, bought me an iPhone, and all the spoils that would excite me. Soon after, my mother told me I had to satisfy his demands, so he would keep buying me and my siblings whatever we needed or wanted.”

In very well-written social media postings, the girl claims she was forced to have sexual relations with her mother’s friend from the age of 15. “I have had an abortion and a miscarriage. They have even performed rituals on me. I was not allowed to go out with friends, nor was I allowed to go anywhere. I would be strictly transported to school and back. I was also instructed not to tell a soul about what was happening. I attempted suicide multiple times, until I decided to seek advice and assistance from a close relative,” she added.

The girl complained about the fact that, while her mother had been released on bail, the perpetrator was still at large. “I need justice for what has been done to me. Whatever jurisdiction handles my case appears to be bribable [bribed] and corrupt. This is my cry for help. I need legal assistance from whoever can bring justice to my case. I don’t feel safe even to go back to school this year or anywhere at all. Please be aware of these two criminals. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. Please spread the word and bring my mother and her friend to justice,” she pleaded.

Human rights activist and founder of the Nefuri Foundation Mpho Nefuri confirmed that the victim is receiving medical care. “I am attending the case to assist with justice. She doesn’t need a lawyer; she is a victim. She is still a child, not yet a lady. For vulnerable children, we will fight until the end,” Nefuri said.

Makhado SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Tshifhiwa Radzilani confirmed the incident. “The police are investigating a case of rape that was opened at the Thohoyandou Police Station on 22 December. One suspect was arrested and released on bail of R5,000, while the other is still at large,” she said.

Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the other suspect can contact Lt-Col Buys on 082 469 0985.

Date:19 January 2024

By: Maanda Bele

Maanda  Bele, born and raised in Nzhelele Siloam, studied journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology.

He is passionate about current news and international affairs.

He worked as part of the Zoutnet team as an intern in 2017.

He is currently a freelance journalist specialising in news from the Vhembe district.

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