The case of a man who is accused of raping a minor has been postponed to July 17, 2026, in the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court in the North West. Jakir Jakir, who appeared in court on Friday, will continue his bail application in his next appearance. He was arrested last month for alleged statutory rape after immigration officers found the 14-year-old girl in his bedroom inside a shop in Lekubu Village. It is alleged that the man was in a relationship with the grade eight learner,
with the knowledge of her parents. Onica Masemola, founder of the advocacy group, Kgaratlhelo Foundation, says, “The 14-year-old has been sexually assaulted. She’s been raped by a foreign national. He is a 42-year-old Bangladeshi. To us, it’s not well because it’s been happening in the eyes of the families. Those who didn’t even report the matter. Most of the families sell their kids. I can say ‘sell’ because they allow their children, as young as 14, to have a relationship with a man. I’m saying
to law enforcement, they must fasten their belt.” The Mayor of the Zeerust-based Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, Dinah Pitso, says they will establish a rapid response programme to address such cases. “As government, we are the custodians of the Children’s Act. Premier, as the number one of the province, is responsible in ensuring that issues of the vulnerable groups, which are the marginalised children, women, and people with disability, are taken care of. We are in an undertaking that we establish the rapid response team
in ensuring that we are going to rapidly respond to issues of gender-based violence as and when they are reported.”
North West, Zeerust Magistrate’s Court, statutory rape, Jakir Jakir, July 17 2026, bail application, Lekubu Village, immigration officers, gender-based violence, Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality