Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr. Jackie Macie calls for calm in the community of Belfast following reports of rape of an eight-year-old minor allegedly by a 15-year-old boy during a recent inter-schools’ music activities.
The community of Belfast earlier today was threatening to embark on an illegal protest on this matter. The MEC pleads with the community to allow the police to do their work and not take matters into their own hands.
The 15-year-old suspect was referred to a probation officer, and the docket was taken to a senior public prosecutor for a decision.
Macie also learnt with shock of three other rape cases in the province which took place this month.
On May 04, a 13-year-old teenage girl was allegedly raped on her way home. This happened at about 19h00 in Middelburg. The suspect was arrested and is expected to appear in Middelburg Magistrate’s Court.
Another incident took place in Leslie in the early hours of 12 May 2025 where an 18-year-old woman was raped during a house robbery.
It is also alleged that on May 13 in the early hours, a 17-year-old grade 12 learner was almost raped in Bushbuckridge. The learner was allegedly accosted by an unknown man. The victim fought back and overpowered the suspect. She called for help and the suspect fled. He was later arrested and appeared in Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court today (14 May 2025).
MEC Macie says women and children continue to suffer in the hands of evil men everyday.
“We know that there are many more people who continue to be abused behind closed doors. We are therefore appealing to communities to speak out and report these cases. Parents and guardians must be highly vigilant so that they are able to see when their children are abused,” he says.
Meanwhile, the MEC has condemned the incident where a 41 year old man allegedly killed a 31 year old woman with an axe in Schoemansdal after a heated argument.
The suspect was later arrested and due to appear at Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court.
MEC Macie says tackling Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) remains a high priority for the government at all levels
“The Province has recently established a GBVF Council as part of fighting the scourge. Our communities must help us by exposing perpetrators. We must actively play a role of better protecting women and children,” he says.
Amid all these cases, the MEC is calling on communities to allow police to do their work without any interference.
He also pleads with those who have information to come forward and assist the police.
Macie says more support should be provided to victims and survivors whose lives have been changed by these barbaric acts.
Ends.
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison.