(Archive photo: SA Police)
A ward councilor from Kriel in Mpumalanga is behind bars after he allegedly broke into a friend’s house and tried to rape his 12-year-old relative.
The 39-year-old councilor is now facing charges of assault with intent to seriously injure and attempted rape, says Brig. Selvy Mohlala, police spokesperson. The alleged incident took place on Friday.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the councilor was apparently at the friend’s house, where they had a few drinks together. The friend’s sister and her children also live there.
“The councilor allegedly made inappropriate comments, which are sexual in nature, about his friend’s 12-year-old niece during the party,” says Mohlala.
The councilor and his friend later left the house and apparently went to visit a tavern.
The mother of the alleged victim went to work in the meantime and the young girl and her 26-year-old sister were left alone at their uncle’s house.
The older sister claims that around 11:30 p.m. she heard someone breaking into the house and trying to break down her bedroom door. Her door was locked and she hastily called a friend to come and help.
The attacker then went to the child’s room, where he allegedly assaulted her and attempted to rape her.
“The older sister, who was still in shock at that stage, says she could hear her sister calling out to their uncle to help her,” says Mohlala.
“The alleged burglar then allegedly responded to her cries for help by saying that the uncle was not at home.”
Moments later, the police arrived at the house and the attacker tried to flee. However, his mobile phone and shirt were left behind. The police pursued and apprehended the suspect. He suffered injuries to his head and was shirtless when the police arrested him.
“The police searched the house and found blood on a window, as well as the suspect’s car, which was parked about 50 m from the house.”
According to Mohlala, the alleged attacker apparently sneaked out of the tavern before the attack without informing his friend about his departure.
The man will appear in the Kriel Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Lt. Gen. Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, provincial police commissioner, strongly condemned the incident and praised the police officers involved for their swift action.
