Verulam, Reaction Unit South Africa, Police

A six and five-year-old were allegedly molested on Friday in the toilets of a Verulam mosque. Photo: Pexels/Teresa Howes

Verulam man arrested after paying molested children R20 and R12

The 43-year-old suspect who lived in the nearby Verulam mosque reportedly assaulted the children in the toilets.

Verulam, Reaction Unit South Africa, Police

A six and five-year-old were allegedly molested on Friday in the toilets of a Verulam mosque. Photo: Pexels/Teresa Howes

A man was arrested by police in Verulam, KZN on Friday after a mob of outraged residents allegedly beat him. The 43-year-old was accused of molesting a six and five-year-old girl in the toilets of a nearby mosque in the colloquially known area of Chubby’s Garage.

CHILDREN WERE ALLEGEDLY LURED FROM THEIR OWN HOME

Prem Balram, the spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa, said the suspect allegedly attempted to buy the children’s silence.

“Members arrived at the Verulam mosque at about 19:00 where a crowd of between 60 to 80 people were found assaulting the suspect. Both of the children were on the scene and told Reaction Officers that they were playing in their yard next to the mosque when the suspect called them,”  

said Balram.

It is alleged that after the six and five-year-old followed the man to the nearby toilets, he removed their pants and sexually assaulted the children

Balram said the six-year-old was given R20 while the five-year-old was given R12 before the suspect told the children to go home. 

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VERULAM COMMUNITY OUTRAGED AFTER HELPING THE MAN

When the eldest of the children returned home she told her mother what had transpired. It is alleged that upon learning about the incident, the mother rallied the nearby community to confront the suspect.

Members of the community said that during questioning, the 43-year-old allegedly confessed to the crimes and thus began the beating. 

From what is known, the suspect had arrived in the Verulam area from Johannesburg about two years ago. Following failed attempts to secure employment, the man became a vagrant although about three weeks ago members of the mosque allegedly offered him assistance. 

In exchange for completing odd jobs, he was allegedly permitted to live on the property of the religious institute. 

Verulam police are investigating the matter.

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