In the first incident, a 17-year old man from Thaba’ Nchu in the Free State stands accused of sexually violating an 11-year old girl from Zone 1 on Christmas day. Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele says the victim and a second young girl were sent by an unnamed neighbour, to drop off a pot of rice at the suspect’s family home at 16:00 when the incident occurred.

According to Makhele, only one of the girls returned home, eliciting some concern that something was amiss. The neighbour who had sent the two young girls went searching for the 11-year old at the suspect’s home and found the victim, whose pants were unzipped in the presence of the suspect who was allegedly fixing his trousers. Makhele says as the community caught wind of what had happened, an angry mob threatened to assault the 17-year old suspect, who then managed to flee temporarily, but was ultimately apprehended by an off duty policeman on the same day. The suspect will appear in the Thaba’ Nchu Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

In the second incident, more than 400 kms away, a 19-year old man from the semi-rural town of Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape will also face a charge of rape on Monday after he allegedly raped a 15-year old girl on Boxing Day. It’s reported the victim was socialising at a tavern with friends and left at around 03:00 am on 26 December 2019. Police spokesperson, Jackson Manatha, says the suspect is alleged to have accompanied the victim and then violated her at this time. He will appear in the Whittlesea Magistrate’s Court on Monday.  

OFM News