Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called for stringent measures to hold perpetrators accountable for impregnating young girls, describing such acts as clear cases of statutory rape. In a powerful statement, Chikunga emphasized that these crimes must be treated with the utmost seriousness, with offenders facing appropriate legal consequences. “Children must be children, and they deserve to be treated as such,” she said, expressing her deep concern over the alarming number of young girls falling victim to sexual exploitation.
What is especially disturbing, according to Chikunga, is that some of these crimes are being committed by close family members, including fathers, uncles, and even teachers. “There is evidence that some of these young girls are impregnated by people who should be protecting them,” she added. “This cannot be allowed to happen.” The Minister pointed out that while many underage girls have given birth, the number of men prosecuted for statutory rape remains disproportionately low.
Chikunga urged the police and the judicial system to take a more proactive stance in ensuring these perpetrators face justice. “In 2024 alone, there were 2,348 pregnancies among children aged 10 to 14. These cases should be straightforward to address. A DNA test can easily identify the perpetrator, and the punishment is clear—statutory rape,” she explained. The Minister called on the state to adopt an aggressive approach to such cases, ensuring that they do not go unpunished and that the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly.
Recent cases have highlighted the urgency of this issue. On Christmas Day, a 13-year-old girl from Limpopo gave birth, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old man. Just a week later, a 12-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape also gave birth, with a 17-year-old boy identified as the father. In response, Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta, has called for the immediate arrest of the young father, underscoring the importance of holding all perpetrators accountable, regardless of age. The growing number of such cases has sparked renewed calls for tougher measures to protect vulnerable children and ensure justice is served.
