Nkomazi man arrested for child rape remanded in court
An alleged rape case against a traditional healer was swiftly investigated by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit.
A 37-year-old traditional healer was remanded in custody by the Nkomazi District Court on October 21.
The case was postponed to October 28 for bail application.
The suspect was arrested on Tuesday, October 14, for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in the KaMdladla area of Nkomazi.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Thulisile Magagula said according to reports, the young victim and her 10-year-old brother were sent by their grandmother to the nearby home of their their aunt.
Magagula said on their way back home, the children encountered the suspect, who was known to their grandmother.
“It is alleged that he had been at the grandmother’s house when he overheard that the children were going out, and then followed them,” she said.
Magagula further explained that the suspect allegedly lured the children into nearby bushes under the pretext of collecting soil for traditional use. Once there, the man reportedly instructed the younger child to wait while he took the girl deeper into the bush, where he allegedly raped her.
“After the assault, the suspect left the victim and her brother, who then returned to their aunt’s house and told her what had happened, after which the matter was reported to the police.”
The case was assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit in Tonga, and following a swift investigation, the suspect was arrested.
