MEDIA RELEASE
2026-01-29
SUMMARY: The Labour Party of South Africa (Labour Party) marched in numbers to the Witbank Magistrate’s Court in solidarity with a young boy living with disabilities who was allegedly sexually assaulted by an alleged illegal foreigner. The Party condemned the continued failure to meaningfully address gender-based violence and violence against children.
On 28 January 2026 the Labour Party of South Africa (Labour Party) attended a court hearing relating to a matter involving a young boy living with disabilities who was allegedly assaulted last year by an alleged illegal foreign national.
Yesterday, the Labour Party marched in numbers to the Magistrate’s Court in Witbank in a show of solidarity.
“We were adamant when we said we do not want this case to disappear. That is why we went to court in numbers — to stand in solidarity with the boy, his family, and the affected community” , said Joseph Mathunjwa, Interim President of the Labour Party.
Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) was declared a national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2025 during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, while also calling child abuse and GBVF a ‘second pandemic’ .
The 16 days of Activism is a campaign that highlights the vulnerabilities of women and children in our societies, and advocates for their protection.
The Department of Social Development last year reported on the alarming statistics showing that more than 26 000 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported in the 2024/25 financial year.
However, despite the declaration and so-called interventions, the distressing reality is that this case represents one of many — both reported and unreported.
“Now that GBVF has been declared a national disaster, one would expect swift and meaningful government intervention”, stressed Mathunjwa.
Last year, the accused was denied bail. Yesterday, when the Labour Party and the victim’s family again attended court, the Magistrate once more denied bail and set the matter down for appearance in the Regional Court to receive a trial date.
Notably, according to eye-witnesses attending in court, the accused seemed to show absolutely no remorse.
“Of course, we are disappointed that we have to gather under such terrible circumstances, but we look forward to receiving a trial date in March 2026” , said a Labour Party member who participated in the march.
“We maintain that porous borders and an uncaring government have brought us to this point. If the Constitution is not amended to protect and prioritise South Africans, we will continue to see our country crumble under the weight of lawlessness”, concluded Mathunjwa.
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