Durban – The arrested 54-year-old Inkosi from the KwaBhidla area, KwaZulu-Natal, accused of raping an 18-year-old woman he had given a ride in his car, is due to appear in the Hlanganani Magistrate’s Court today,
The Inkhosi is expected to make a formal bail application when he appears in court.
At the weekend the Ministry of Police issued a statement condemning, “in the strongest terms that the matter deserves, the deeply disturbing incident in which an 18-year-old young woman was allegedly raped on 4 May 2025”.
The statement added: “Reports indicate that the suspect gave the young woman a lift from the eGqumeni area, only to allegedly refuse to drop her off, instead driving her to a remote and isolated bushy area where he is accused of raping her.
“Following his first appearance in the Hlanganani Magistrate’s Court on Friday, the suspect was remanded in custody until Monday, (12 May 2025), when he is expected to make a formal bail application.”
Commenting on the matter, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said: “This vile act – allegedly committed by someone who holds a position of leadership and authority – is a betrayal of the moral, ethical, and societal responsibilities bestowed upon traditional leaders.
“It flies in the face of the values we seek to uphold in a just, safe, and respectful society.
“All along and up to now, when engaging with my counterpart in CoGTA [Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs], it has been around the role that traditional leaders need to play on various social ills and around their security concerns, but we have never thought that we now have to engage on their involvement in the act of rape.
“We commend the South African Police Service for acting swiftly and professionally in response to this incident.”
He added: “We stand in unwavering solidarity with the victim and her family during this painful time.
“We trust and will ensure that the justice system treats the victim with dignity, that her voice is heard, and that this matter is pursued with the urgency and weight it deserves.
“No individual, regardless of their title, position, or social standing, should ever be allowed to act with impunity, especially in matters as grave as Gender-Based Violence.”
