Key Takeaways:
- Deputy Minister of Police Polly Boshielo was accused of sidestepping urgent concerns about statutory rape during a National Assembly question-and-answer session.
- EFF MP Muzi Khoza pressed Boshielo about the protection of girl children, citing a recent report that 2,103 cases of births by girls aged 10-14 were reported in 2024.
- Boshielo failed to directly answer Khoza’s questions, instead speaking about her experience as a former MEC of Education and recent speaking engagements.
- EFF MPs protested Boshielo’s response, calling it inadequate and saying it failed to address the serious issue of statutory rape.
- The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development plans to establish 16 new Sexual Offences Courts in the current financial year, with 19 already established in the previous year.
Introduction to the Debate
The National Assembly descended into chaos on Wednesday afternoon as MPs accused Deputy Minister of Police Polly Boshielo of not answering questions regarding statutory rape. Boshielo was appearing before the National Assembly during a Peace and Security Cluster question-and-answer session, where she was pressed by EFF MP Muzi Khoza about the protection of girl children. Khoza cited a recent report by Stats SA, which revealed that 2,103 cases of births by girls aged 10-14 were reported in 2024. This statistic is alarming and highlights the urgent need for action to protect vulnerable children from statutory rape.
The Deputy Minister’s Response
Boshielo’s response to Khoza’s question was met with criticism from MPs, who felt that she failed to directly address the issue of statutory rape. Instead, she spoke about her experience as a former MEC of Education and the South African Schools Act, which states that only relatives can open a case when a child is violated. However, she noted that the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act has changed to allow anyone who witnesses statutory rape to approach a police station and open a case without consulting the parents. Boshielo’s response was seen as evasive and failed to provide any concrete answers to Khoza’s questions.
Protest from EFF MPs
As soon as Boshielo’s time was up, EFF MPs Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi and Leigh-Ann Mathys protested her response, saying that she had not addressed a single question. Mkhaliphi emphasized that the issue of statutory rape is serious and requires urgent attention. Mathys added that the government’s failure to answer simple questions about statutory rape during 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence is a clear indication of its failure to protect South Africans. The protest was dismissed by House chairperson Werner Horn as a "point of debate" rather than a point of order.
Expansion of Sexual Offence Courts
Before the chaos erupted, Boshielo had mentioned that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development would open a new Sexual Offences Court in Botshabelo, Free State, on Thursday. This is one of 16 courts that the department aims to establish in the current financial year, with 19 already established in the previous year. Boshielo emphasized the importance of these courts, which provide a supportive environment for victims to testify and receive appropriate support. Additionally, 42 courts are being upgraded to provide a range of survivor-centred support services.
Initiatives to Reduce Turnaround Time
Boshielo also announced that the department has introduced a multi-sectoral "hundred days challenge" to reduce the turnaround time to finalize domestic violence and sexual offense cases. Furthermore, the department has given a directive for the service of protection orders by clerks of court to be issued within 24 hours. These initiatives aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system in dealing with cases of domestic violence and sexual offenses.
Conclusion
The debate in the National Assembly highlights the urgent need for action to protect vulnerable children from statutory rape. The failure of the Deputy Minister of Police to provide direct answers to questions about statutory rape is a clear indication of the government’s lack of commitment to addressing this issue. The expansion of Sexual Offence Courts and initiatives to reduce turnaround time are welcome developments, but more needs to be done to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and victims receive the support they need. The government must take concrete steps to address the issue of statutory rape and ensure that the justice system is equipped to deal with these cases effectively.
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