NELSPRUIT - A 20-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Nkomazi Magistrate's Court on Monday, 19 December 2022 following the rape of a 16-year-old victim.

According to the victim's mother, the minor was sent to the shop on Thursday, 14 December 2022 at about 19:30.

It is alleged that the suspect, who is well known and trusted by the victim, accompanied her to the shop. It is said that on their way back, the suspect allegedly dragged the victim to a certain incomplete building where he raped her.

The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was immediately arrested by the police.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest and warned male perpetrators to refrain from any form of Gender-Based-Violence. "It is with great regret that there are men who still rape just few days after the 16 days of activism for non-violence against women and children was held. We are glad that an arrest was made and we hope the law will take its course" added Lieutenant General Manamela.

Source: South African Police Service