POLICE are investigating a case in which a Qacha’s Nek man is accused of raping a three-year-old girl.
Deputy police spokesperson Senior Inspector Lerato Motseki said the 24-year-old man was arrested after the child reported the matter to her mother on 24 May 2016.
“It is alleged that the toddler was playing outside a bar when the suspect carried her away, saying he was going to buy her sweets. Instead of buying sweets, the suspect took the child to his house and allegedly raped her,” Sen Insp Motseki said.
She said the child reported the matter to her mother soon after the alleged rape, which led to the arrest of the suspect.
Senior Inspector Motseki said the man was still in police custody and would appear in court after investigations have been completed.
Meanwhile, two Mafeteng teenagers facing rape and murder charges are also in police custody.
Sen Insp Motseki said the duo, aged 17 and 18, allegedly raped and murdered an 18-year-old woman last month.
“It is further reported that the two dumped the victim’s corpse in a donga after allegedly raping and murdering her,” she said.
The police deputy spokesperson also urged parents to teach their children never to talk to strangers.
“It is important that parents teach children about the dangers of agreeing to walk with or talk to strangers as a lot of men are on the prowl and take pleasure in abusing children.”
Sen Insp Motseki said cases of child sex abuse were increasing “at an alarming rate”.
In another suspect crime incident, a 20-year-old Thaba-Tseka man was sentenced to eight years in jail for stealing two horses.
Said Sen Insp Motseki: “The man stole two horses and hid them in Ha-Moeketsi, Thaba-Tseka where he was arrested on 27 May. After failing to pay the M16 000 fine for the offence, the man was sent to jail.”
