Man Appears in Court for Toddler’s Rape

A 26-year-old man appeared in the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court on February 7, facing charges of raping a two-year-old girl in Nhlazatshe. The case has been postponed to February 12. Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, stated that the suspect allegedly lured the child, who was on her way to a tuckshop, into an abandoned house near Elukwatini. “The girl’s grandmother was alerted by a passerby who noticed the child bleeding. Witnesses had reportedly seen the suspect with her earlier, heading toward the area where the attack took place,” said Ndubane. Outraged community members quickly mobilized to track down the suspect. “They found him drinking alcohol and confronted him. A scuffle broke out, during which he sustained injuries before being apprehended. The police were notified, and he was arrested and charged with rape,” Ndubane confirmed. Authorities continue their investigation to ensure justice for the young victim.