A 23-year-old Mpumalanga man will appear in court on Monday after allegedly raping and attempting to murder a woman he had been drinking with. This was at tavern in Shatale township, Bushbuckridge.
The 36-year-old survivor, who cannot be named, had been having drinks with the suspect last Saturday night when he allegedly turned violent. This was after she refused to go home with him.
Drinks bought
“He was buying her drinks the whole night and assumed she would sleep with him afterwards,” said Niko Mokoena, chairperson of the Shatale Sector 3 community policing sub-forum.
“On their way from the tavern, he demanded sex. When she refused, he beat her up, raped and left her for dead.”
The woman was later discovered in a critical condition and rushed to Mapulaneng Hospital. The medical staff alerted the police.
“Police responded swiftly and found the victim with severe facial injuries and unable to speak due to trauma,” said provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Thulisile Magagula.
“Through witness accounts, the suspect was traced and arrested. He allegedly confessed during questioning.”
Aunt helps the search
In a shocking twist, the suspect’s aunt – a community policing forum member – led the search and handed him over to the police.
“She helped us search the RDP area until he was found,” Mokoena said.
“She handed him over.”
Speaking to Sunday World, the aunt said: “We are shattered by what he did.”
“He must rot in prison.”
The suspect appeared briefly in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody.
He faces charges of rape and attempted murder.
The suspect is scheduled to return to court on Monday for a formal bail application.
