Neighbours hand ‘slumbering’ rape suspect over to police

WILLOWVALE police arrested a youth in connection with the rape of a 29-year-old woman.

Captain Jackson Manatha said: “It is alleged that the victim was with her boyfriend on Monday at about 1am in Qora village. Two men armed with knives kicked in the door of the house where the couple were sleeping.

“The boyfriend was chased away and the suspect allegedly dragged the victim to his home and raped her.

“The suspect then fell asleep. The victim went to a nearby homestead and alerted the community to what happened.

“Community members went to the homestead of the suspect and found him in deep slumber.

“He was caught and handed over to Willowvale police, who arrested him.”

Brigadier Trevor Mey, the Butterworth cluster commander, thanked the community for their assistance and for not taking the law into their own hands.

● A Bhisho youth was arrested on Tuesday after police found ammunition in his house.

Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said police had followed a tip-off about explosives and ammunition at a Tyutyu Location, Bhisho, home.

They found a young man of 21 there, as well as hidden ammunition and stun grenades.

“They searched the house and found 26 [rounds of] live ammunition for an R5 rifle, two stun grenades, one R5 magazine and an allegedly stolen trade power drill and mini hi-fi,” said Mawisa.

“Police found that a reported stolen plasma TV had been sold to [the occupants of] another house around Tyutyu. They proceeded to this house and recovered the television. A 37year-old male was arrested for possession of stolen property.”

● Steve Vukile Tshwete police arrested a 35-year-old male outside King William’s Town at 2am on Tuesday, allegedly in possession of an illegally owned firearm and ammunition.

“Police followed up on information they received about a male who had a firearm in Sidi Location, Border Post, and went to his home.

“After some investigating the suspect took police to where he was hiding the firearm,” said Mawisa.

“He was charged and will appear at Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court soon.”