The South African Police Service management in the province makes an appeal to the community to refrain from hitch-hiking as it puts their lives in danger.
This follows an incident whereby a 14-year-old girl ended up being raped after having been offered a lift on Sunday.
Information at police disposal revealed that the girl was hitch-hiking from Bushbuckridge to Graskop, when a man driving a white VW Golf offered her a lift.
Along the way, the man allegedly drove to the bushes near Graskop and stopped the vehicle whereupon he forcefully pulled the victim out of the vehicle and instructed her to take off her clothes. The girl refused, however the man pulled out a knife and tore her clothes then raped her.
The girl managed to run to the nearby main road where she stopped a truck driver who took her to the Graskop Police Station at Graskop to report the incident. A case of rape was opened and the suspect aged 39, was busted at his house soon thereafter. The suspect appeared before the Graskop Magistrate’s Court yesterday and was remanded in custody until Thursday December 15 for a bail application.
Also read: Man arrested for raping a 14-year-old boy
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma urges the community to make use of public transport where practically possible. “Not only does hitch-hiking put the lives of people who are hitch-hiking at risk, but also that of motorists who can lose both their vehicles and property at best, and their lives at worst.” said the Provincial Commissioner.
