In a scathing rebuke, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has denounced the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman by a KwaZulu-Natal Inkosi as a “vile act” and a gross betrayal of the moral and ethical standards expected from traditional leaders.
The disturbing incident is said to have taken place on May 4, 2025, when the 54-year-old Inkosi reportedly offered the young woman a lift from the eGqumeni area. Instead of taking her to her destination, he allegedly diverted to a remote, bushy area where the sexual assault took place.
The suspect was arrested shortly after the victim reported the crime, and he appeared in the Hlanganani Magistrate’s Court on May 9, where he was remanded in custody. His bail application is scheduled for May 12, 2025.
Minister Mchunu applauded the South African Police Service (SAPS) for their rapid intervention and made it clear that power and position offer no shield from justice.
“No one is above the law, and certainly not when it comes to crimes as heinous as rape. This is a betrayal not just of one young woman, but of the entire community that looks to its leaders for guidance and protection,” Mchunu stated.
The Ministry of Police has initiated discussions with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to ensure stricter oversight and accountability among traditional leadership structures. These talks aim to bolster the role of traditional leaders in preventing gender-based violence and ensuring justice when such atrocities occur.
As the case unfolds, it stands as a stark reminder of the work still needed to combat abuse of power and the persistent scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa.
