Polokwane – A 29-year-old fugitive wanted for the brutal rape of a two-year-old in Maake, outside Tzaneen, two weeks ago has finally been arrested.
The suspect, who was a close friend of the victim’s father, was arrested on Saturday evening in a pre-dawn raid at a flat in Yeoville, Gauteng.
Police say he did not resist arrest and has been taken back to Limpopo to face the rape charge.
Two weeks ago, Limpopo police launched a manhunt for the suspect after he allegedly abducted the two-year-old girl from Pulaneng village. He is said to have taken her to a nearby bush and raped her before leaving her for dead.
“The victim is currently recuperating at home after spending a week at Mankweng hospital,” said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Simon Mpembe, has praised the members from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for working tirelessly in tracking and arresting the suspect.
Mpembe urged the community to exercise restraint when the suspect appears at Maake Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.
“I can understand the anger incidents like this can cause in the community, but I strongly warn people taking the law into their own hands and seeking some form of retribution,” he warned. – SAnews.gov.za
