The following article contains information relating to the alleged rape and murder of a child and may be distressing to some readers.
A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping, rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Charl Cilliers on Sunday, March 8.
According to a media statement from the office of the Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, police received a report of a missing child and immediately activated several units, including Crime Intelligence, K9 and detectives, to search for the girl. The search was also supported by private security officers, farmers and members of the local Community Police Forum.
During the search, the child’s clothing was discovered dumped near a mealie field. Further investigation led to the arrest of a suspect, who subsequently directed police to the same mealie field where the body of the child was found.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Secunda Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, March 10.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, condemned the crime and described it as heinous. He also commended the cooperation between police, farmers, private security officers and community members, which led to the swift arrest of the suspect and the discovery of the child’s body.
Police reiterated that crimes against children and women remain a top priority in the province.