The crime-busting Scorpions unit is actively probing allegations of child abuse against North West Premier Popo Molefe, the Mail & Guardian has learned.
The unit’s investigators have interviewed and taken statements from key witnesses in the case.
The witnesses include Molefe’s ex-wife, Boitumelo Plaatje-Molefe, and doctors who examined the child after the alleged abuse.
Police have investigated the child’s allegations in the past, but prosecuting authorities had declined to prosecute because of ”lack of sufficient evidence”.
The probe was reopened after the M&G reported claims by Plaatje-Molefe that her former husband had sexually abused the pre-teen girl. The child was living with the Molefe family at the time of the alleged incident last year.
The M&G story revealed that the findings of the medical examination on the child by the Teddy Bear Clinic showed that the child manifested symptoms of ”sexual abuse”.
The clinic’s report did not form part of the police investigation as it was compiled after prosecuting authorities had dropped the case.
Molefe and his former wife’s marriage ended earlier this year after a protracted battle in the Mafikeng High Court.
Divorce proceedings started in April last year after the couple agreed to terminate the marriage.
It is not clear when the probe into the matter will be completed.
Molefe has rejected the allegations, saying he would never ”stoop so low as to sexually abuse a pre-teen child”.