Police in Mpumalanga have arrested a 35 year old suspect in connection with the rape of a 4 year old girl and her 28 year old mother. The suspect, who is on parole for a murder case was arrested on Friday, 27 December 2019 after being cornered by police at his hiding place at a township in Machadodorp and is expected to appear before court.
It is reported that on Thursday, 26 December 2019 the man went to visit the pair and was granted access into the house. Moments later he produced a knife, threatened the mother of the girl, directed her and her daughter to one of the rooms and allegedly raped both of them.
Police were later alerted about the incident by one of the neighbors who became suspicious after seeing the suspect fleeing from the house. The police immediately rushed to the house and confirmed the details of the incident.
Subsequent to police arrival, two cases of rape were opened. Detectives from Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) were immediately activated and tasked to investigate the two cases.
Both victims were taken to hospital for medical assistance. The suspect has since been arrested by police and will appear at the Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Monday 30 December 2019. Police cannot rule out the possibility of this man’s parole to be revoked.
The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, applauded members of the public for the information that they provided which has led to the arrest of the suspect. He also thanked police for their sterling work and prompt arrest of the suspect.
However General Zuma also expressed his disappointment by the actions of the suspect who was given a second chance by being granted parole as an opportunity to correct his ways and do something good in his community.
“What this suspect did is so disappointing, especially at the time when we, as a country, are doing all that we can to curb Gender Based Violence. This suspect was supposed to be an ambassador of change, teaching other men out there that violence against women and children can no longer be tolerated. Instead he showed that he is not fit to be living among the community. We hope that justice will prevail and our wish is that after conviction, he gets the maximum sentence so that women will live freely without fear of being raped”, said General Zuma.
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