By Augustine Ehikioya
For allegedly raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl, Police officials have arrested a 22 years old man in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
The suspect was said to have stabbed the victim at home while preparing for school after her mother had left home for work.
Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana of the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Eastern Cape, had revealed this in a statement made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It said “Police arrested a 22-year-old male after an 11-year-old girl was found dead in her home, Kaplani locality outside Mthatha on 20 July, 2022.
“It is alleged that the deceased child was at home getting ready for school while her mother had already left for work.
“The child’s mother alleged that she received a call from her daughter informing her that someone is trying to push open the door.
The complainant phoned her neighbour who is also a relative to go and check on her daughter. A known male was seen leaving the house.
“The person was questioned and he alleged that he was looking for the victim’s mother.”
The neighbour, the statement said, then went into the house and found the girl with a stab wound in the upper body.
The statement went on “Police were alerted and the suspect was arrested in the same area. The suspect is also related to the deceased. The community also severely assaulted him.
“A case of murder and rape is under investigation and the suspect is expected to appear in court soon.”
Provincial Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Nomthetheleli Mene has welcomed the arrest.
“However, it must be noted that such heinous and callous incidents of gender based violence and femicide must be fought by all sectors of society, and it is disheartening to observe that victims are not even safe in the hands of their relatives. We also condemn incidents of mob justice in any shape or form,” Lt. Gen. Mene stated.