The mother who left her toddler alone at home while she went to drink at a tavern should also face criminal charges, say angry Mpophomeni residents after the little girl was raped at her home on Friday night.

After raping the 19-month-old child the unknown suspect set the house alight. Seeing the flames, neighbours rushed to the scene and rescued the child, who sustained bruises and head injuries.

Pietermaritzburg police spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala confirmed the mother was arrested for child neglect on Saturday.

Read the full story on The Witness.