Suspected rapist receives a rude awakening in veld

VENGEFUL villagers of Nkomo village near Giyani beat a 26-year-old man suspected of having raped a 16-year-old girl to within an inch of his life on Monday morning.

According to several residents who spoke to CV, the man allegedly broke into the house at around 04:00, where the girl lived with her mother. Threatening to stab her mother and her with a screwdriver if she did anything to stop him, he allegedly proceeded to rape the 16-year-old girl.

He then allegedly robbed them of their cell phones, some cash and a blanket before he fled into the veld nearby. However, instead of leaving the area, he wrapped the blanket around him and fell asleep. Once the alarm had been raised, residents started searching for him. They found him fast asleep in the veld, where they allegedly beat him up while questioning him about any accomplices he may have had. One resident alleged that the man worked with some accomplices breaking into and robbing homes in which single women lived.

The police arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and rescued him. He was admitted to the Nkhensani Hospital with multiple injuries.

Giyani police spokesperson WO Thomas Makhubele confirmed that the suspect was rescued from the mob by the police and taken to hospital. “He’s currently under police guard, while the police investigate the case,” he said, adding that no arrests had taken place as yet.