A 54-year-old man arrested for allegedly raping a minor, was found dead in the Mandeni police cells on Sunday night.
Mandeni Saps spokesperson, Fanele Ndlovu, said the man was apprehended by residents of the eMangeza area near the Mandeni Toll Plaza on Sunday, accusing him of raping an 11-year-old girl.
He was taken to the police station where he was later found dead in a cell.
It is not known whether he had been assaulted by his captors before being handed over to the police.
“The matter is being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. The girl will receive medical help and counselling,” said Ndlovu.
It is alleged the man repeatedly raped the girl when her grandmother was at work.
The incident again highlights that sexual abuse of children in rural areas continues unabated.
Last month the Courier reported that a significant number of sexual offence cases committed in rural areas were not being reported.
Ndlovu said police had discovered a shocking number of unreported sexual abuse cases when they visited rural schools.
“Children are sexually abused on a large scale by neighbours or close family members, people they trust. They end up believing that it is normal to be touched or slept with. Girls under 16 are impregnated, but no one reports these cases,” said Ndlovu during a gender-based violence awareness march in Mandeni in December.
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