VREDE - A 43-year-old suspect from Thembalihle near Vrede has been arrested for alleged sexual assault of an 11-year-old minor who was rescued by friends she was playing with at her house.

It is alleged that on Friday, 1 April 2022 at about 16:00 the girl was at home together with her friends playing when a suspect known to her came to buy cigarettes and she helped him. Thereafter, the suspect sat on the couch and started fondling the minor who screamed for help. He asked her not to report and promised to pay her cash but her friends pulled her outside the house.

The incident was reported to the police at about 18:45 on the same day and the suspect was traced and arrested. He has been charged and is expected to appear at the Vrede Magistrate court on Monday, 4 April 2022 facing a charge of sexual assault.

"The continuous awareness and education on Gender Based Violence to community on soft approach policing by police through Social Crime Prevention bare fruits. Our children should break the silence on any form of abuse so that perpetrators can be brought to book", said the Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Baile Motswenyane.

Source: South African Police Service