A 27-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
The girl’s body was found on a farm in Hendrina at about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Mpumalanga police acting commissioner, Major General Dr. Zeph Mkhwanazi, confirmed the arrest on Sunday, September 9. He praised the detectives from the Hendrina and Breyton police stations who tracked down the suspect.
“The swift action taken by the detectives is a commendable example of teamwork and diligence in the pursuit of justice,” he said.
“It is through such collaborative efforts that the police can ensure the safety and security of communities and hold those who commit heinous acts accountable for their crimes.”
Police stated that the suspect had previously murdered a man in February and was out on R5,000 bail when he allegedly committed this latest crime.
He is scheduled to appear in court soon.
Earlier, provincial police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the suspect fled the scene after allegedly killing the girl.
“According to a report, the girl’s mother was in search of her daughter but without any success, hence she reported her disappearance to the police. During the reporting, the woman informed the police that she suspects that her sister’s male companion could know something about her daughter’s sudden disappearance. She further explained that before her child went missing, the girl was last seen with the man in question,” Mdhuli said.
Police went to the farm where the man lived to investigate, but he had already left.
“The astute members somehow managed to get inside his shack. It was during this period when the men and women in blue noticed some blood stains inside the shack, then as they continued searching, about 100 metres away from the shack, they discovered the naked body of the child with some stab wounds. The little girl was unfortunately certified dead by the medical personnel at the scene. The preliminary investigation suggests that the girl could have been raped by the suspect,” Mdhuli said.
