The Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie, has raised his concerns about the increase of sexual assault cases reported in the province. Macie described the actions of perpetrators of sexual assault against children as horrific, and said cases must be given full attention so that the offenders face justice.

“These cases require all security agencies to confront child abuse head on and to ensure that there are convictions. We are also appealing to parents and guardians to be vigilant and to always know the whereabouts of their children,” said Macie.

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He also encouraged communities to work with the police and not to take matters into their own hands.

His call for action hails from the recent arrest of a 26-year-old foreign national who appeared in the Hendrina Magistrate’s Court on April 7 for the rape of a six-year-old girl in Arnot. The girl was sent to buy some items from a local tuck shop when the incident took place. The man was arrested on April 5. He has been remanded in custody until April 14 for an interpreter to be present to make a bail application.

Another case that has been brought to attention of many in he province is that of a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by an educator at her former school last year.