MOPANI – The police in Mopani arrested two men and charged them with rape last weekend.

The first incident took place at the Giyani Township, Section A, during the night of last Thursday, August 7. According to the police spokesperson in the area, Insp Hasani Mabaso, the victim was sent to fetch something from the suspect's home when the incident took place.

The victim is a nine-year-old girl.

According to the police statement, the victim took too long in the suspect's home before she went back home. On arrival at home her mother cross-questioned her about her delay. Although at first she was reluctant to tell the story, she eventually shared the sad news with her mother.

She further told the mother that it was not the first time for her to fall victim to a similar crime. She revealed that each time she was sent to the suspect's home, the suspect would rape her and later order her to keep quiet or else he would kill her.

The mother reported the matter to the police and the suspect was arrested on Monday this week. The suspect is a 21-year-old man. The victim and the suspect are next-door neighbours. He was still to appear in court at the time of going to press.

The other incident took place at Letsitele settlement two weeks ago, on August 2, during the day. According to the police statement, the victim was on her way home from school when she met the suspect in the street. The suspect allegedly grabbed her and ordered her to go with him to the nearby bushes, where he allegedly raped her.

The scandal came under the spotlight when her school teachers realized that she was looking ill. When they questioned her, she told them that she has been raped by a man whom she knew very well. The teachers called the girl's parents to the school and told them about the story.

The parents in turn took the matter up with the police. Although the matter was reported last Saturday, the suspect was arrested on Monday. The suspect is a 21-year-old man, who resides at Letsitele settlement. The suspect was still to appear in court at the time of going to press.