A personal assistant to the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has been arrested and charged with rape following a months-long investigation.
The arrest, made on Saturday at a Midrand restaurant, came after the victim, who was raped several months prior, spotted the suspect and alerted the police.
The victim's quick thinking proved crucial in apprehending the suspect. Having reported the rape to the Midrand police station in June, the complainant had waited months for an arrest. However, upon unexpectedly encountering the suspect enjoying himself at the Cofi nightclub in Midrand, the victim immediately contacted the authorities. Police responded swiftly, arriving at the scene and taking the suspect into custody.
A police source confirmed the details of the arrest, stating, “When this guy was arrested and taken to the police station to be charged, it was discovered that he was working as a PA of the minister of higher education.”
Another source highlighted the complainant's proactive role, saying the swift arrest was a direct result of their immediate notification of the police.
The suspect, a 29-year-old male, was subsequently charged with rape at the Midrand police station and detained. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the arrest and charges, explaining the delay in apprehending the suspect.
“He is expected to appear before Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The case was opened in June 2024, and the suspect was only arrested on Saturday because the police were still collecting evidence and the matter was under investigation,” said Masondo.
The arrest comes amidst a concerning rise in reported rape cases across South Africa. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, in August, released crime statistics revealing an increase in rapes nationwide. He highlighted the top three police stations receiving the most rape complaints: Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal, followed by Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, and Thohoyandou in Limpopo. These statistics underscore the ongoing battle against gender-based violence in the country.
The case against the Minister's personal assistant is particularly concerning given the suspect's position within the government. The arrest raises questions about accountability and the need for robust measures to address sexual assault within all sectors of society.
While the investigation leading to the arrest took several months, the eventual apprehension of the suspect offers a glimmer of hope for the victim and serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting such crimes.
