KEY POINTS
- DNA tests have exonerated Ditebogo Frans Gololo, a 28-year-old Limpopo man accused of impregnating a 13-year-old girl, confirming he is not the biological father of the child.
- The case has been postponed to May 5, 2025, for further investigation, while Gololo has been released on R1,500 bail.
- The incident has reignited discussions about teen pregnancy and the importance of sexual health education in South Africa, amid a reported decline in teen motherhood due to government interventions.
In a dramatic turn of events, a 28-year-old Limpopo man, Ditebogo Frans Gololo, who was accused of impregnating a 13-year-old girl, has been exonerated after DNA tests confirmed he is not the biological father of the child.
The case, which has gripped the nation, took an unexpected twist when the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) revealed the results of the paternity test.
IOL reports that Gololo appeared at the Seshego Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 4, 2025, facing charges of statutory rape.
The allegations stemmed from an incident in Seshego township, where the minor gave birth to a baby boy on Christmas Day in 2024. The case initially seemed straightforward, with Gololo being accused of sexual misconduct with a minor. However, the DNA results have now cast doubt on the allegations.
Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, the NPA regional spokesperson in Limpopo, stated, “The state has obtained DNA results that exclude Gololo as the father of the child.” She added that the docket would be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further directives.
Gololo was arrested shortly after the minor gave birth and was charged by the Seshego Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit on December 26, 2024. He was initially charged with statutory rape and sexual grooming of a minor. However, the sexual grooming charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
“The accused has since been released on bail of R1,500,” Dzhangi confirmed. The case has been postponed to May 5, 2025, for further investigation.
Teen pregnancy in south Africa: A broader context
This case has reignited discussions about teen pregnancy and sexual health education in South Africa. According to the Department of Health, the number of teen mothers has decreased from 145 in 2023 to just under 90 in 2024. Foster Mohale, the department’s spokesperson, attributed this decline to various interventions, including the Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and Healthy Lifestyle Campaign.
“The rollout of Youth Friendly Zones in primary health facilities across the country has created an enabling environment for young people to access sexual and reproductive health services without waiting in queues with general customers,” Mohale explained.
Despite this progress, cases like Gololo’s highlight the need for continued efforts to protect minors and ensure justice is served. The DNA results in this case have not only exonerated Gololo but also raised questions about the identity of the actual father and the circumstances surrounding the minor’s pregnancy.
The case has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many expressing relief that Gololo has been cleared of the charges. However, others have called for a thorough investigation to identify the real perpetrator. Legal experts have emphasized the importance of DNA testing in such cases to prevent wrongful convictions.
As the case unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding statutory rape allegations and the critical role of scientific evidence in the justice system.
