‘Child, 7, raped by man, 27’

It is alleged that the child, who was in the care of a landlord while the mother was at work, was lured away by a 27-year-old-man who offered her sweets and a soccer ball.

Rabie Ridge police spokesperson Constable Jacob Nhlongo said, “The suspect gave the child sweets… [and] took the child to his room where he [allegedly] raped her.”

After the incident the child went to the landlord and told the woman that her stomach and legs were sore. The landlord undressed the child and found that the child was bleeding.

Police said the child told the landlord about the alleged rape and the landlord phoned the child’s mother to come home from work.

“The child was taken to Tembisa Hospital. The suspect was arrested and appeared in court,” he said.