Two KaBokweni men have been arrested while a manhunt has been launched for a third following the rape of two minors and a young woman at the weekend.
The two men, aged 21 and 29, were arrested on Sunday September 19 by the KaNyamazane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit and are expected to appear in the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court today.
The provincial police spokesperson, Col Donald Mdhluli, said the first incident occurred on Saturday September 18. He said a 29-year-old man allegedly raped a 16-year-old girl after she had gone to a local salon that day.
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“It is said that upon arriving at the salon, she met a man who is known to her. The man then allegedly forced her into his room and raped her. This matter was probed by the investigating team from KaNyamazane FCS. They made a breakthrough when they arrested the 29-year-old suspect on Sunday September 19.”
A 25-year-old woman was raped on Saturday September 18, allegedly by her half-brother. He is being sought by the police.
Mdhluli said the woman had been taking a nap after coming back from a funeral when the assault occurred. The man then fled the scene and police are yet to make an arrest.
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The last incident involved a 21-year-old man who allegedly raped a 16-year-old girl at a shop in KaBokweni on Sunday September 19.
“The report indicates that on Sunday morning a 16-year-old girl went to a certain shop in KaBokweni where she was allegedly grabbed by a man who is known to her,” said Mdhluli.
“He took her by force to his room and reportedly raped her upon arrival. The matter was reported to the police at KaBokweni and the case was assigned to KaNyamazane FCS Unit. An investigation was conducted and the 21-year-old suspect was apprehended in connection with this incident,” said Mdhluli.
The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Semakaleng Manamela, has praised members of the FCS in KaNyamazane for their hard work as well as the swift arrest of the two suspects.
Lowvelder will update its readers on the outcome of the court appearance as soon as more information becomes available.
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