ERMELO – Three incidents of rape have been registered this past week.
Capt Carla Prinsloo, spokesman of the Ermelo police, said the first incident happened in Nyibe at around 00:30 on July 4.
The complainant (16) was asleep at home and woke up to use the bathroom outside.
While walking down the path, she was grabbed from behind by a suspect.
“He covered her mouth so she could not call for help, and threatened her with a knife.
“He forced her to an open veld where he raped her,” Capt Prinsloo said.
She added after the rape the suspect allegedly told the complainant to keep quite about the incident, and left.
The victim reported the rape three days later to the Ermelo police.
The second incident took place in the vicinity of Kwamabuza on July 8 around 16:25.
The complainant (48) was on her way home when confronted by a suspect armed with a knife.
According to Capt Prinsloo, he threatened her with the knife, raped her and fled the scene.
The third incident followed on July 9 around 11:00 when the complainant (18) was walking from KwaMabuza next to the Ermelo Air Field, when a suspect emerged from the bush, holding a knife.
“He grabbed the complainant and said that if she screamed he would stab her.
“He raped her and fled from the scene,” Capt Prinsloo concluded.
The Ermelo police are investigating these cases and request any person who might have information to call the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit on 017 801 0517 or 072 638 1652.
