Alleged child rape suspect arrested near Mtubatuba

DURING an attempt to confront the man accused of repeatedly raping his young niece, a 30-year-old man was last Sunday stabbed in the upper shoulder with a spear.

The incident occurred in the Gunjaneni area outside Mtubatuba.

The rape victim (12), whose mother died when she was a baby, is believed to be in the care of her elderly grandmother.

According to the victim's aunt, children witnessed the horrific rape of her niece, which they reported to the elders.

“My brother informed the suspect’s brother and they both confronted the suspect. During the confrontation, the suspect became aggressive, and pulled out a spear and stabbed him,” she said.

“My brother was rushed to hospital and is responding well to medication."

The suspect (56) was arrested on Wednesday.

According to the girl's aunt, when the child was taken to hospital, the district surgeon confirmed that she had been raped several times.

“She was handed over to a social worker for interviews on Thursday where she revealed the rape ordeal began in December.

“During the interview, my niece revealed that both the suspect and his brother raped her on different occasions and threatened to kill her if she said anything.”

In a twist of events, the suspect's brother was on Friday found dead in his house. He had reportedly been shot.

“My niece is not doing well at school. At 12, she is still in Grade 3," said the girl's aunt.

“Since last year, her behaviour has changed completely. She was always scared and would disappear from home.”

KwaMsane SAPS spokesperson Captain Sibusiso Mkhize said the suspect was arrested last Wednesday and charged with rape.

“He appeared at KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and was remanded in police custody pending investigations.

He is expected to reappear in the same court tomorrow (Friday) for a formal bail application.

“At this stage, we cannot link the two incidents [rape and murder], but an investigation is under way.

“Albert Xulu (61) was found dead at his house on Friday, shot by unknown persons. A murder case is under investigation and no arrest has yet been made,” said Mkhize.