An 11 year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped before she was raped by a Zimbabwean illegal immigrant at Indermark, west of the Mara policing area.

Police spokesman for the Vhembe district, Inspector Thivhulawi Tshilate, said the incident occurred last Thursday (05/10/06) at night.

It is alleged the girl had run away from home on the previous day. “The girl ran away from her parents’ home because the mother wanted to punish her for an offence she had committed. She then met an illegal immigrant from Zimbabwe, who allegedly kidnapped her,” Tshilate said.

He said the suspect dragged the minor into a nearby bush where he allegedly raped her. “After raping the girl, the suspect detained her for the whole night and the next day the complainant went back to her parents’ home,” said the police spokesman.

When the girl’s mother saw the minor, she then asked her about her whereabouts, resulting in the complainant’s relating her ordeal. A report was made to Mara Police station.

Tshilate said police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect, who is still at large.

“We are also appealing members of the community to assist us with information which could eventually lead to the arrest of the suspect. However, as police we are also investigating the matter,” Tshilate said.