Act quickly if a child is restless after travel

A shocking case has emerged from Limpopo where Selaelo Justice Mongalo, a 66-year-old man who worked as a crèche transport driver, has been arrested and charged with the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl. The incident took place in Springs village, Botlokwa, after the child was reportedly dropped off at home late. Mr Mongalo has since appeared in the Morebeng Magistrate’s Court and has been remanded in custody pending a formal bail application.

Key details of the case

• Suspect: The accused is 66-year-old Selaelo Justice Mongalo.
• Victim: A three-year-old girl.
• Suspect’s role: Mr Mongalo was employed as a transport driver for a local crèche.
• Date of incident: The alleged crime occurred on 25 September.
• Location: Springs village, which is located in Botlokwa, Limpopo province.
• Discovery: The child’s guardian became concerned because the child was restless after being dropped off late by the driver.
• Medical confirmation: The child was taken to a clinic where doctors confirmed that she had been raped.
• Arresting authority: The suspect was arrested by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
• Court appearance: Mr Mongalo appeared in the Morebeng Magistrate’s Court.
• Current status: He has been remanded in custody until 8 October for a formal bail application hearing. For more immediate details on this case, please refer to the original report by the Limpopo Chronicle on X.

The full story and background

The community in Springs village, Botlokwa, was left distressed following the arrest of a local crèche transport driver, Selaelo Justice Mongalo, aged 66. The serious allegation involves the rape of a young girl, only three years old, who was under his care for transportation.

The incident came to light after the events of 25 September. On that evening, Mr Mongalo allegedly dropped the child off at her home later than the usual time. The child’s guardian noticed immediately that the little girl was behaving strangely and was noticeably restless. Acting quickly on their concern, the guardian took the child to a clinic for a medical examination. It was there that the attending doctors tragically confirmed the young victim had been raped.

The matter was immediately handed over to the police, and the specialised Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) initiated an investigation. Their efforts led to the arrest of Selaelo Justice Mongalo earlier this week. Following his arrest, he was brought before the Morebeng Magistrate’s Court. The court ruled that due to the extreme seriousness of the charge, he would be remanded in custody. His next court appearance, scheduled for 8 October, will be to hear his application for bail. This means he will remain behind bars until at least that date while the legal proceedings continue. You can read more stories like this on local community news sites.

Community concerns and answers

• What is the specific charge Mongalo is facing?
  He is currently facing a charge of rape in connection with the three-year-old girl.
• Who is the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS)?
  The FCS is a specialised police unit in South Africa focused on investigating and addressing crimes involving vulnerable people, especially children and victims of sexual offences.
• Why was Selaelo Justice Mongalo driving a crèche vehicle if he is 66 years old?
  The age limit for transport drivers depends on the specific regulations of the crèche and the standard driving licensing requirements in South Africa, but there is no specific upper age limit that prevents a 66-year-old from driving such a vehicle if licensed and employed.
• What happens now that the suspect has been remanded in custody?
  Being remanded means he is being held in jail until his next scheduled court date on 8 October. On that date, he will formally apply for bail, and the court will decide whether to release him pending trial or keep him detained.
• Is there any support available for the child victim and her guardian?
  In cases of child sexual violence, support services including counselling, medical assistance, and victim empowerment programmes are usually provided through social workers and government agencies cooperating with the police and court system.
• How can the public get more information about similar community news in the Limpopo area?
  For ongoing coverage and more stories concerning safety and events in the region, including updates from the Thohoyandou area, you can check news sources like the City of Thohoyandou news section.