There should be no mercy for child abusers, the department for women, children and people with disabilities said on Wednesday.
It condemned the rape of a five-year-old Limpopo girl, who was allegedly raped three times by different men on various occasions.
“We see this as a sign of serious deterioration of the moral fibre of our society,” the department said in a statement.
It urged those who were entrusted with the care of children to remain vigilant at all times to ensure their safety was not compromised.
On Tuesday, the DA in Limpopo promised to help the girl and her family receive psychological counselling.
A man was expected to appear in the Mankweng Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for allegedly raping the girl in Mmamatsha village, Ga-Molepo last Wednesday.
She was also apparently raped in December 2010, but the case was provisionally withdrawn pending DNA results and a social worker's report.
She was raped again in May this year, when 28-year-old man was arrested. He was to appear in court on June 26.
On Monday, the ANC in Limpopo described the case as troubling and “inhumane”.
“We cannot continue to have these kinds of inhumane crimes being committed against children and women and any other victims of such violent, gruesome acts that strip victims of their dignity,” said ANC provincial spokesman Makonde Mathivha. – Sapa