Hunt on for man accused of raping three-year-old in Philippi shack

ANGRY residents were last night hunting for a 31-year-old man who allegedly raped a three-year-old girl at an informal settlement in Philippi yesterday.

It is alleged the man called the little girl, who was playing with her friends just outside her home, into his shack in Sweet Home.

When the Weekend Argus arrived on the scene, the shack contained a three-quarter bed with a pillow in the middle and a plastic washtub filled with water.

Local residents alleged they found the man, naked from the waist down, with the little girl naked on the pillow.

The victim’s father, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his child, said he was “worried about the child because I don’t know how her life will turn out now”.

“She is so young and there are so many diseases out there,” the distraught man said.

A neighbour described the suspect as “very friendly with children”.

“He hardly sits with adults unless he is drinking with them.

“He normally gathers all the children from around here, buys them sweets and plays with them.

“When her mother couldn’t find her child she started asking around and the other kids pointed out that she was in the shack with him.”

The woman said that they pushed the door open and found him inside the shack with the child.

“He was naked from the waist down.

“He pushed past us and ran,” she said.

Police spokeswoman Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed the incident, saying police were also hunting for the man.

“A rape case is under investigation. A 31-year-old suspect is on the run,” she said.

Last night residents were frank that they hoped to find the alleged rapist “before the police do”.

Police asked anyone with information to call the Nyanga police on 021 3803 300.

asanda.sokanyile@inl.co.za

PICTURE LEON LESTRADE DISTRAUGHT: The father of the three-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted by a neighbour speaks to the media at their residence in Sweet Home, Philippi.