A 42-year-old man who is accused of kidnapping and raping a 10-year-old girl on Saturday made a brief appearance in the George Magistrate’s Court earlier this afternoon.

According to George Herald, the accused faces two charges of kidnapping and one of rape. Due to the sexual offence charge against him, his name may not be published until he pleads.

His arrest on Sunday follows a massive community-led search effort that resulted in the girl being found alive.

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, preliminary investigations show the incident occurred when the victim and her friend (12) from Conville had been walking along York Street near the George cemetery.

A man approached them, convincing them to follow him to a nearby shop. He then led them to an open field near the George refuse site on the R102, where the 10-year-old was raped.

The second girl escaped and alerted her family, triggering an immediate search.

On Sunday morning, the search led the authorities to Syferfontein near Pacaltsdorp, where the suspect was located. Further investigation directed the police and neighbourhood watch members to a run-down caravan on a farm behind the showgrounds in Groeneweide Park, where the victim was found.

She was taken to a medical facility for care. The suspect remains in custody and will appear for his bail application next Thursday.

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