A 26-year-old Ethiopian man has been arrested by Mpumalanga police in connection with the rape of a six-year-old girl in Arnot, near Hendrina, in Mpumalanga.

Middelburg Observer reports that the rape reportedly occurred last Thursday at around 18:00 when the young girl was sent to buy some items from a local tuckshop.

The case was reported to the police and investigated by members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.

The suspect was traced and apprehended by the police on Saturday.

The accused is expected to appear in the Hendrina Magistrate’s Court today.

Acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, strongly condemned the heinous act of violence committed against the child.

He commended the diligent work of the FCS Unit in the arrest of the suspect and reiterated SAPS’ commitment to ensuring the protection of vulnerable groups, especially children.

“We will spare no effort in ensuring that justice is served for the victim in this case. Our investigators, working closely with the prosecution, will see to it that the suspect faces the full consequences of his alleged actions,” he says.

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