Police in Limpopo have arrested a 42-year-old suspect for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old mentally ill girl on Wednesday in Mothapo village.

A CHANCE TAKER

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said information suggests that the victim was playing with other children on the street at about 16:00 when the known suspect accosted and took the victim to a nearby graveyard. 

"Upon arrival, the suspect allegedly raped the victim and ordered the victim not to tell anyone about the incident. Thereafter, the suspect walked with the victim to her residence. The members of the community became suspicious when they saw the duo walking together and alerted the victim?s family,"said Mashaba.

RAPE CONFIRMED

Mashaba said the victim was taken to the local clinic and later transferred to George Masebe hospital for medical examination. 

"The doctors at the hospital confirmed that indeed the girl was raped and the matter was reported at Gilead Police Station. A case of rape was opened and an immediate manhunt of the suspect was activated resulting in his apprehension while at his residence in Mathale village."

The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said she was extremely disturbed about the rape of the mentally challenged girl and commended the immediate arrest of the suspect. "I am confident that justice will prevail and the perpetrator will be permanently removed from the society due to his barbaric actions of targeting vulnerable victimswho cannot defend themselves, " she said.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Mahwelereng Magistrate court soon and police investigations are continuing.