A 23-year-old man was arrested after a missing teenager was located naked in his home in Tongaat – KZN earlier.
A search party was canvassing the area after a 16-year-old female failed to return from school yesterday afternoon (Wednesday). She is a student at a school that caters to learners with physical and cognitive disorders. Her family confirmed that the teenager was dropped off by her transport near their home however, she could not be located thereafter.
They launched a search party yesterday afternoon and canvassed the area for information. This morning, they were informed that the girl was seen in the company of a male near their home. They proceeded to his residence and located the female naked in his room.
News of the incident spread rapidly through the community when approximately 50 people arrived at the suspect’s home. They removed the female from the house and tear-gassed the suspect.
Residents thereafter contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) for assistance. Reaction Officers were immediately dispatched and arrived on the scene. It was established that the suspect was hiding inside the house. Residents were unable to enter due to the tear gas. The suspect exited the house after he was instructed by Reaction Officers.
During an interview, he informed RUSA Members that he had seen the girl walking on the unpaved road near his house when the suspect approached her. He convinced her to follow him home where he removed her clothes and kept her naked throughout the night.
He informed Officers that he intended on raping her however, he allegedly developed a guilty conscience and did not. Due to her mental illness, the female was also unable to confirm if she was sexually assaulted. She will be transported to a medical facility to confirm if she was raped.
The suspect and the teenager were handed over to the Tongaat SAPS for further investigation.