The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violet Mathye, and the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, have expressed profound disappointment and outrage following the rape of a three-year-old child in Springs village, Botlokwa policing area.
The accused, 66-year-old Selaelo Justice Mongalo, appeared before the Morebeng Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 01 October 2025. His arrest was effected on Monday, 29 September 2025, by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Polokwane. The court has remanded him in custody until Wednesday, 08 October 2025, for a formal bail application.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on Friday, 25 September 2025, at approximately 18:30. The suspect, who works as a transport driver for a crèche and is the husband of the crèche owner, had dropped the child at her home. Preliminary investigations reveal that the child was brought home late on that day.
Shortly after the drop-off, the child’s guardian noticed she was restless. The victim then began complaining of pain and was immediately taken to a medical facility, where a medical examination confirmed that the child had been raped.
A case of rape was initially opened at the Botlokwa SAPS and was subsequently transferred to the Polokwane FCS unit for further investigation.
