PORT ELIZABETH - KWAZAKHELE RESIDENTS BREATHE SIGH OF RELIEF AFTER SERIAL CHILD RAPIST ARRESTED

A 26-year-old male was arrested yesterday after two rape cases, an attempted rape case and sexual assault case was opened at Kwazakele. This followed after an 11-year-old girl was admitted to Dora Nginza Hospital on 24 June.

On 26 June she admitted to her doctor that she was raped. Through the hospital social worker the SAPS was notified and Kwazakele Vispol as well as SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit opened a rape case and started the investigation. The victim then mentioned the suspect's name as well as another girl's name who was also a victim. By yesterday afternoon and through speedy investigation, three more girls opened cases against the suspect.

A 9-year-old girl opened a rape case, and another 9-year-old girl opened a sexual assault case, while a 12-year-old girl opened an attempted rape case.

All four victims stays in the same street in Thambo Village, Kwazakele and regularly played together. The 26-year-old suspect stays in the same street and it is alleged that he enticed and lured girls to his house with promises to buy them chips and sweets on numerous occasions between 2017 and 2019.

He was arrested at his house in Thambo Village, Kwazakele last night at 19:00 after all four cases were opened. The victims as well as the suspect cannot be named to protect their identities. The 26- year-old suspect faces two cases of rape, one for attempted rape and one for sexual assault and will be appearing before the New Brighton Magistrates Court on Monday 01 July 2019.

The Motherwell Cluster Commander, Major General Dawie Rabie applauded the swift investigation into opening the cases and arresting the suspect by the SAPS teamwork, but added "The children in this community seems to have fallen prey to a serial rapist. Four young girls came forward yesterday, but there might even be more. We urge parents in this area to come forward where more child victims are identified. We also need parents to see the serious need of better adult supervision when children are allowed to play outside in the streets."

via - SAPS