HLANGANANI – Solva Chauke (18) of Nkuzana Village has briefly appeared in the Hlanganani magistrate's court last Wednesday on a charge of rape. The incident relating to the charge took place at Nkuzana on August 27, at about 18:00.

According to the spokesperson of the police at Hlanganani, Insp Falaza Vuma the complainant was busy bathing her four-year-old girl when she discovered that the child's genitals were swollen. She then took her to the nearby Majosi Clinic for medical examination. That is where it was discovered that the child was raped.

The girl was later transferred to Elim Hospital.

The statement further indicates that after cross-questioning the child, she later stated that she was raped by the suspect. She also pointed out the hut in which she was raped.

The accused was traced until he was arrested at his home on August 30. His first court appearance was two days after his arrest. The case was postponed to last Wednesday. The accused was not asked to plead and the matter was again postponed to October 14.

The accused will remain in custody until his next court appearance, as his bail application was unsuccessful. In the statement that was released by the police this week, an appeal was made to mothers not to leave their baby girls alone, saying cases of a similar nature are rife in the area.