Suspect arrested for rape of elderly women

A 28-year-old suspect appeared on Thursday November 7, before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court for rape and attempted murder. The suspect is alleged to have brutally attacked two elderly women in White River on Tuesday, November5.
During the attack, the women were asleep in their makeshift shack situated in the open field near Angel Park School in White River, where the women look after their gardens. The suspect broke the door of their makeshift shack, to gain entry. One of the women managed to identify the culprit and called him by name, asking him what his problem was.
The suspect then used a plough to hit one of the women and she fell to the ground. She sustained serious injuries on her head and lower body. The young criminal then ordered her to cover her face with a blanket and allegedly raped the other woman. When he was done, he informed the traumatised and helpless old women that he will summon an ambulance to give medical attention to the injured victim
The woman who was raped managed to go to neighbouring houses to seek help. The police were called and the suspect was found in the bushes and arrested the following day not far from the scene.
Thulani Ntobela, provincial commissioner lieutenant general, thanked the community for assisting the police with information. “The positive participation of the community in the fight against crime will never go unnoticed,” said Ntobela.