GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The rate of sexual violence in South Africa is said to be among the highest in the world with 132,4 reported incidents per 100 000 people countrywide. And unfortunately the Garden Route is not immune to this vile pandemic.
Four people were arrested in connection with unrelated sexual offences in the area last weekend.
In the early hours of Sunday morning 14 February, Thembalethu police in George found a 17-year old girl wandering the streets after she was allegedly raped shortly before.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, the girl was visiting friends in Zone 3 when the suspect lured her outside and allegedly dragged her to his house in Ngcakani Street, Zone 2, where he forced himself on her.
"She was walking home after the ordeal when police found her. She told them what had happened and they immediately followed up on the information. The 23-year old suspect was later arrested at his house and the victim received medical treatment as well as victim support," Pojie said.
The suspect appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Monday 15 February. The case was postponed until Tuesday 23 February.
Child allegedly raped in Knysna
On Saturday afternoon, 13 February at approximately 15:00, a 13-year old girl was allegedly raped by a man (25) in Knysna. According to Pojie the young victim was walking from her grandmother's house in Ethembeni when she was approached by the suspect who lured her by using a cooldrink. "He took her to his house where he undressed and raped her," said Pojie.
The 25-year-old suspect was later arrested and appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Monday 15 February where the case was remanded to Monday 22 February.
On the previous day George Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) investigators in conjunction with Outeniqua K-9 unit arrested a man (31) in Conville in connection with the rape and assault of a 45-year old woman. The incident allegedly took place at his home on Sunday 7 February.
"The suspect sent his son to call the victim to come to his house. When she got there, he refused to let her go again and held her in his room against her will where he raped her several times before he released her later," Pojie said.
The suspect (31), who now faces charges of rape and assault, appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Monday 15 February where the case was postponed until Tuesday 23 February.
Sexual assault in Plett
In Plettenberg Bay a 31-year old suspect is facing a charge of sexual assault following an incident on Friday evening, 12 February, when he allegedly violated a teenage girl (14) at a spaza shop.
It is alleged that the suspect, who is a shop assistant, touched the victim inappropriately. She reported the incident to her mother who reported it to the police.
"The suspect was later arrested on said charge and was scheduled to appear in the Plettenberg Magistrate's Court on Monday 15 February," said Pojie. The suspect remains in custody. The date of his next court appearance has not yet been confirmed.
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