Social Development Minister condemns rape of 12-year-old in Dobsonville

Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has strongly condemned the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Dobsonville, Western Soweto, which occurred during the Easter weekend.

A 58-year-old man allegedly attacked the child. The suspect has since been arrested and is expected to appear in court shortly. In response to the incident, the Department of Social Development has deployed social workers to provide trauma counselling and psychosocial support to the young victim and her family.

Minister Tolashe urged the public to remain vigilant and report such crimes, describing the assault as a grim reflection of the country’s ongoing gender-based violence crisis.

Department spokesperson Sandy Godlwana emphasised the severity of the situation and the department's commitment to child safety.

“The Department noted with concern the incident and calls upon South Africans to report cases of this nature as they are part of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) which President Cyril Ramaphosa declared as a national disaster,” Godlwana said. “As the custodian of the Children's Act 38 of 2005, it is our legislative mandate to ensure that the rights and well-being of children are always protected.”