By Levy Masiteng
The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday launched a national investigation into rising cases of statutory rape and child pregnancies, saying provincial governments must be held accountable for tackling the issue.
The move followed DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille’s attendance at a bail hearing in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court for a 53-year-old deputy principal accused of repeatedly raping an eight-year-old girl at his primary school.
The party announced in October last year that according to a response to a parliamentary question, Over 106 000 rape cases and 22,000 sexual assault cases involving children were reported over the last six financial years.
Zille said the campaign would examine whether provincial departments were meeting their obligations under the Children’s Act, which seeks to ensure that perpetrators of rape and statutory rape face prosecution.
Zille urged community members to report suspected abuse.
“The DA will not allow the rape of children
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