Woman languishes in jail for encouraging 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual activities for money
The teenager alleged that a woman known to her had encouraged, instructed and persuaded her to engage in sexual activities with several men in exchange for money.
Image: File
A 25-year-old woman and her 33-year-old male friend have been arrested on charges of child grooming and statutory rape involving a 15-year-old girl.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the arrests were effected on January 5 following a report made by the victim’s mother.
Police said the complainant alleged that a woman at Oyco in Phola had encouraged, instructed and persuaded her 15-year-old daughter to engage in sexual activities with several men in exchange for money.
An initial police inquiry revealed that the victim allegedly told her mother that the woman, known to her from Oyco where she frequently spent time with friends, repeatedly encouraged her and other girls to have sex with various men.
The men would allegedly pay the woman, who would then share a portion of the money with the girls.
It is further alleged that on Monday, January 5, at about 10 am, the woman compelled the victim to have sexual intercourse with a 33-year-old man known to her and gave her R100 in cash.
On the same day, at around 12.30 pm, the victim was allegedly coerced into having intercourse with another man, purported to be the woman’s male friend, who reportedly promised payment at a later stage.
The matter was reported to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
Ndubane stated that police traced the suspects to Oyco in the Four Room Section of Phola, where they arrested them.
The arrested suspects appeared before the Ogies Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of child grooming and statutory rape, and they were remanded into custody.
"The next court appearance date is 14 January 2026 for a formal bail application," said Ndubane.
Police said additional charges could not be ruled out.
Meanwhile, the acting Mpumalanga provincial police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed the arrests and expressed concern that a woman who should have been protecting children was allegedly exploiting them for financial gain.
He also urged parents to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children.
Police investigations are continuing.
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