Police at Bushbuckridge, in Mpumalanga, have arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly raping a pensioner, aged 60.
The incident occurred at Hlamalani, near Bushbuckridge on Saturday, at around 5pm, according to provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.
“According to information, the complainant alleged that she left home and went to drop her personal belongings nearby. On her way back, while walking on the street, she met a male person known to her,” said Ndubane.
It was during this time when the 37-year-old suspect allegedly grabbed the old woman and raped her.
“During the incident, it is said that the woman's grandson who was looking for her somehow appeared at the scene and caught the suspect in the act,” said Ndubane.
“When the suspect noticed the woman's grandson, he quickly stood up and fled.”
The matter was reported to the police and the accused man was traced and arrested.
“The male suspect is expected to appear at the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court on Monday, February 10, 2025, facing a rape charge,” said Ndubane.
Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has strongly condemned “this disheartening incident”.
He applauded police officers for their swift arrest of the accused man.
Last year, IOL reported that the Groblersdal Regional Court in Limpopo sentenced a 35-year-old rapist to life imprisonment after he was convicted of raping and assaulting a 90-year-old woman.
The court heard that on July 31, 2022, Ephraim Matshela Madiba broke into the house of the elderly woman at Elandskraal and found a panga in the victim’s bedroom.
“He assaulted her with it before raping her. He thereafter fled the scene with the said panga,” Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said at the time.
Police were alerted about the incident, they opened cases of rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.