UPDATE: 14.15pm
A suspect who was arrested in connection with the rape of a 22-year-old pregnant woman in Joburg CBD on 22 May is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Regional Court today.
The police arrested the 27-year-old suspect after receiving a complaint from the woman, who alleged that the man raped her after he offered her a place to sleep on the evening of 21 May.
“The victim was on the corner of De Villiers and Wanderers streets at about 8pm on 21 May when she noticed two men following her. She immediately informed the security personnel working at the Villiers Court building,” Johannesburg Central police spokesperson, Captain Xoli Mbele said.
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“In the early hours of the morning, it is alleged that one of the security guards forced himself on the victim and penetrated her even after she told him she’s pregnant.
“During the alleged act, it is said he put a cloth in her mouth to prevent her from screaming. It is claimed that after raping her, the suspect promised to give her R3 000 but she refused the offer.”
Speaking to City Buzz, Mbele confirmed that the suspect would appear in court today.
This incident comes nearly a week after another pregnant woman was raped by a group of 11 men inside a hijacked building in the Joburg CBD.
Johannesburg Central police arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the rape of a 22-year-old pregnant woman in Johannesburg central on 22 May.
Initial story: 07:00am
“It is alleged that the suspect raped the woman at about 2am inside a residential building located in town,” said the police’s spokesperson, Captain Xoli Mbele.
“The victim was walking along the corner of De Villiers and Wanderers streets at about 8pm on 21 May when she noticed two men following her. She immediately informed the security personnel working at the Villiers Court building.”
Mbele added that the security guards told the woman that the men following her would rob her and they then offered her a place to sleep for the night.
“In the early hours of the morning, one of the security guards forced himself on the victim and forcefully penetrated her even after she told him she’s pregnant,” said Mbele, adding that the suspect proceeded to gag and constrain the victim. “During the act, he allegedly put a cloth in her mouth to prevent her from screaming. After raping her, the suspect promised to give her R3 000 but she refused the offer.” A police investigation is underway while the suspect is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court soon.
This comes after another woman was gang-raped in the CBD by 11 men on 15 May as she was making her way back from work. The woman who is three-months pregnant, was walking home with a male co-worker at about 5am when they were allegedly accosted by a group of men suspected to occupy the abandoned building situated in the busy part of town.
Commenting on the incident, Joburg Central Police spokesperson, Captain Xoli Mbele said, “After being confronted by the suspects, the woman’s colleague was [allegedly] assaulted at gunpoint before she was dragged into the dark building where the gang rape incident took place. However, during the ordeal, the woman’s co-worker contacted the police, who responded swiftly.”
Edited by Beryl Knipe
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