Health workers obliged to investigate cases of pregnant minors - women's rights activist

JOHANNESBURG - Some women's rights activists have labelled the practice of not investigating cases of pregnant minors in hospitals as irresponsible amid rising numbers of statutory rape cases.

This comes after a man in Ekuhruleni, east of Joburg, raped and impregnated his daughter, who was 15 years old at the time, in 2022. 

The man was only arrested this year and was denied bail this week by the Tsakani Magistrate's Court.

Last week, the court heard how the 39-year-old father raped his daughter repeatedly in 2022.

When the victim’s mother realised she was pregnant, she took her to hospital to confirm that she indeed was carrying a baby.

Activist, Lisa Vetten, said this was when police were supposed to be alerted of the matter by the health authorities.

"In terms of the Sexual Offences Act, if she had gone to the hospital and the health workers noted her age, they were obliged to undertake careful and sensitive enquiry into how she had fallen pregnant and to investigate her circumstances."

The victim’s mother tried to get her to abort the baby but was unsuccessful.