Two arrested in connection with hitchhiker’s rape
Police arrested two suspects in connection with last Tuesday's kidnapping and rape of a hitchhiker.
TONGA – According to Capt Magonseni Nkosi of Tonga SAPS, police have apprehended two men they suspect kidnapped and raped a woman last Tuesday.
They are continuing investigations and the men will appear in court as soon as they have been positively linked to the case.
The 19-year-old victim was heading home from work with a male colleague around 19:00 when two men in a white sedan offered them a lift.
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The men started harassing them and then turned off onto a gravel road going into the bush in the Mzinti area. They forced the man to get out and drove a short distance before stopping again. They allegedly overpowered the woman and raped her.They then drove away, leaving her in the bush.
Luckily, the victim had managed to hide her cellphone from the suspects and reported the incident to the police. A case of kidnapping and rape was opened.
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Nkosi urged people who work nearby one another and get off work late at night to travel in groups. People walking home from work, hitchhiking or waiting for a lift alone at night are targets for criminals.
He suggested that people arrange a lift with someone in the group who has a car or arrange with a taxi or bus to stop at a shopping centre or cluster of shops to ensure everyone who works late has transport.
