• A ward councillor from Matlosana was arrested over the weekend on two charges of statutory rape, following reports made by the parents of two minors. The case came to light when explicit videos and photos of the councillor began circulating on social media.
• North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Nono Maloyi, publicly condemned the councillor’s actions and emphasized the government’s commitment to combating gender-based violence and protecting the rights of children.
• MEC Maloyi appealed to community leaders to uphold the integrity of their public offices and encouraged society to work closely with the police to ensure justice is served. He also expressed hope that the victims would receive the necessary counselling to handle the traumatic experience.

Nono Maloyi, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, publicly welcomed the arrest of a ward councillor from Matlosana. The councillor was detained over the weekend on two charges of statutory rape.

The arrest followed reports made by the parents of two minor boys at a local police station. The ward councillor’s conduct became a public scandal after sexually explicit videos and photos featuring him began circulating on various social media platforms last week.

MEC Maloyi vehemently condemned the councillor’s actions, stating they were in clear violation of the South African Constitution. This cornerstone of national law guarantees every child the right to protection from maltreatment, neglect, abuse, or degradation. The councillor’s conduct has been deemed a gross contravention of these constitutional protections.

Maloyi has appealed to community leaders, urging them to uphold the dignity and integrity of their public offices. “This incident is an embarrassment, and we will not tolerate such behaviour from any of our councillors. Statutory rape is a serious crime and must be treated as such,” Maloyi stated.

The MEC reinforced the government’s commitment to combating the alarming rise in gender-based violence and femicide against women and children. He encouraged society to unite and collaborate with the police to ensure that those who harm or abuse women and children face the full might of the law.

MEC Maloyi also expressed hope that the young victims would receive counselling to cope with the trauma resulting from these grievous events. His comments reflect a broader call to action, not only for justice but also for preventative measures and support for victims of such crimes.

The arrest of the Matlosana councillor serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for vigilant oversight and accountability within our public offices. It underscores the necessity of swift and decisive action in the face of such allegations, to protect the vulnerable and uphold the integrity of public service.