An 18-year-old man and his 35-year-old mother are scheduled to appear before the Letsitele Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 August 2025, facing charges in connection with the rape of a 9-year-old girl.
The young man, who is the alleged perpetrator and the victim’s brother, was remanded in custody following his initial court appearance on Friday, 22 August 2025, on a charge of rape. His mother was arrested the following day, Saturday, 23 August 2025, and has been charged with failure to report a crime.
According to police reports, the incident came to light on the morning of Tuesday, 20 August 2025. Community members from Lwandlamuni village in the Letsitele policing area approached officers at the N’wa Mitwa satellite police station, bringing both the young victim and the suspect with them.
The community informed police that the victim had disclosed to them that she was sexually assaulted by her brother on Thursday, 8 August 2025, at their family residence in Lwandlamuni village. During a subsequent police interview, the victim alleged that her brother had called her into the house where the assault occurred.
A formal case of rape was registered at the Letsitele Police Station and has since been transferred to the specialized Tzaneen Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for further investigation.
The investigation is ongoing. Both accused are expected to be formally presented together when they appear in the Letsitele Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
