A flag of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) political party hangs on a wall before a press conference at the party headquarters in Johannesburg on December 1, 2022. Pressure mounted Thursday for President Cyril Ramaphosa to quit or face removal from office over a cash burglary at his farm that he allegedly covered up. (Photo by Michele Spatari / AFP)
ANC councillor arrested for attempted rape of 12-year-old girl in Mpumalanga
A 39-year-old ANC ward councillor in Mpumalanga has been arrested for alleged attempted rape of a 12-year-old girl in Kriel.
A flag of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) political party hangs on a wall before a press conference at the party headquarters in Johannesburg on December 1, 2022. Pressure mounted Thursday for President Cyril Ramaphosa to quit or face removal from office over a cash burglary at his farm that he allegedly covered up. (Photo by Michele Spatari / AFP)
A 39-year-old ANC ward councillor in Mpumalanga for attempted rape in Kriel, Mpumalanga, on Friday, 5 May.
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Alleged rape attempt of a 12-year-old girl leads to arrest of ANC ward councillor in Mpumalanga
South African Police Service (SAPS) Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the councillor allegedly tried to rape a 12-year-old girl. He also faces charges of housebreaking and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The 39-year-old was arrested over the weekend and was due in court on Monday. The incident comes after a 40-year-old ANC Councillor in North West was arrested for two counts of statutory rape and crimen injuria.
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The Mpumalanga incident occurred after the councillor visited his friend’s home and drank alcohol on Friday.
While at the friend’s house, the councillor made inappropriate sexual comments about the 12-year-old, according to the police spokesperson. The pair then left to go to a nearby tavern.
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“The girl’s mother had reportedly gone to work; hence the girl and her 26-year-old sister are said to have been temporarily left to stay with their uncle.
“It is said that while the two buddies were still in the tavern, the councillor sneaked out without telling his friend,” said Mohala.
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Suspect snuck away from friend and broke into house
At approximately 22:30, the 26-year-old sister heard someone breaking into the uncle’s house and the sound of the intruder attempting to open a locked bedroom door. She called a friend and asked that he immediately call the police.
Mohala said the 26-year-old sister heard the 12-year-old calling her uncle to come to her rescue. “The report further states that the intruder responded by saying that the uncle was not in the house.”
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The police arrived shortly after the call, but the ANC Councillor managed to escape – he jumped through a window, but left his cellphone and t-shirt behind. He was arrested shortly after.
“As the police went through the scene during the course of the probe, they came across some blood drops in the house, as well as on the window. The suspect’s car was also found about 50 metres from the house,” said the police spokesperson.
The 39-year-old was expected to appear in the Kriel Magistrates Court on the mentioned charges on Monday.
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