HLANGANANI – A 55-year-old resident of Tiyani Village has briefly appeared in the Tiyani magistrate's court on Monday on a charge of rape. The incident took place at Tiyani village in the Hlanganani area last Thursday afternoon, January 9 at about 16:00.

According to the spokesperson of the police at Hlanganani, Insp Falaza Vuma, the victim had paid her aunt a visit on the day of the incident. She was in the company of a friend. When they arrived at her aunt's home she was told that the aunt was still out for a while.

The only person who was at home was her uncle. The statement indicates that the man later requested the victim and her friend to do some domestic work. Later in the afternoon the girls told the accused that they would like to take a bath before leaving saying they were tired.

While they were in the bathroom the accused allegedly followed. He then grabbed the victim with a hand and started to rape her in full view of her friend. The statement further indicates that the victim's friend was crying during the ordeal.

The victim is a 13-year-old girl. The victim related the story to her aunt who in turn reported the matter to the police. The accused was arrested the following day and he appeared in court on Monday. He was not asked to plead and the case was referred to the Waterval Regional court where it will be heard on February 21. The accused was refused bail and thus remanded in custody.