Johannesburg Central police arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the rape of a 22-year-old pregnant woman in Johannesburg central on 22 May.
“It is alleged that the suspect raped the woman at about 2am inside a residential building located in town,” said the police’s spokesperson, Captain Xoli Mbele.
“The victim was walking along the corner of De Villiers and Wanderers streets at about 8pm on 21 May when she noticed two men following her. She immediately informed the security personnel working at the Villiers Court building.”
Mbele added that the security guards told the woman that the men following her would rob her and they then offered her a place to sleep for the night.
“In the early hours of the morning, one of the security guards forced himself on the victim and forcefully penetrated her even after she told him she’s pregnant,” said Mbele, adding that the suspect proceeded to gag and constrain the victim. “During the act, he allegedly put a cloth in her mouth to prevent her from screaming. After raping her, the suspect promised to give her R3 000 but she refused the offer.” A police investigation is underway while the suspect is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court soon.
This incident comes nearly a week after another pregnant woman was allegedly raped by a group of eleven men inside a hijacked building in Johannesburg central.
Edited by Beryl Knipe
Read: Pregnant woman gang raped in CBD
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