HLANGANANI - The police at Hlanganani have issued a warning to parents and guardians not to leave young girls alone, as they become more vulnerable to any form of abuse.

This follows an incident that took place at Noblehoek village in the Hlanganani area a fortnight ago, Sunday December 1 at about 23:30.

During the night of the incident the accused, Nzama Lawrence Hlungwani (32), who resides at Noblehoek settlement, allegedly proceeded to the victim's home. According to the spokesperson of the police at Hlanganani, Insp Falaza Vuma the victim was fast asleep inside the room when the incident occurred.

She was alone in the house. The statement indicates that the accused gained entry through the door that the victim forgot to lock when she went to bed. The statement further indicates that the accused raped the victim upon entering the room.

The victim screamed for help and neighbours responded by coming to the scene within minutes. The accused then jumped off his victim and vanished in the dark when he realised that the victim's neighbours were there to help.

The victim managed to identify the accused during the ordeal. The matter was reported to the chairperson of the local community-policing forum. The forum referred the victim to the police. The accused was traced and arrested three days after the incident.

He appeared in the Hlanganani magistrate's court last Friday. The case was postponed until today, Friday December 13. The accused is in custody as his bail application was turned down. The victim is a 15-year-old girl.