The police arrested a 79-year-old male suspect and rescued him from angry community members of Cottondale Trust in Ackornhoek, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, after he was accused of allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl on Sunday 30 March 2025.
According to a report by Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane, the victim was playing on the streets with her siblings when she was called into the house of the suspect.
The suspect reportedly refused to open the door when one community members rushed to the house to rescue the victim. This is said to have raised further alarm, resulting in the mother of the victim and some community members heading to the house ordering the suspect to open the door.
“ During this process, the suspect was assaulted by the community members. The police were alerted about the incident as well, and they went to the scene where the man was whisked away. The victim was taken to the hospital, and a rape case was opened. Meanwhile the man was apprehended and charged accordingly,” said Lt-Col Ndubane.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Acornhoek Magistrate’s Court to answer for his alleged crime.
