MAKONDE - Villagers of Makonde near Thohoyandou praised the SAPS for arresting a 23-year-old suspect in connection with the case that shocked the little peaceful village last week.

Mirror published a story on Friday in which a single mother of two, Ms Avhasei Ndou (24), described her night of terror as a man broke the window of her bedroom and forcefully entered her house and tried to force himself on her. She overpowered him and he disappeared as Ndou cried for help from neighbours. The suspect left a gray woolen hat, which Ndou took along when she went to report the matter at Thohoyandou SAPS.

After an intensive investigation by the police, with help from the community, the suspect was arrested and he appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday last week.

Insp Nkanukeni Raedani of the Thohoyandou SAPS told Mirror that the suspect was not given bail and he will be remanded in custody until he appears again on 22 November. Raedani said the man has been charged with malicious damage to property, for now.

The Chairperson of the Makonde Civic Association, Mr. Fhatuwani Manyatshe, welcomed the arrest and said the matter should be left in the hands of the justice system to execute its duties accordingly.

“We are thankful because the villagers did not take the law into their own hands. Instead, they worked closely with the police until the suspect was arrested. We hope this will be a clear lesson that we do not tolerate crime in our village,” said Manyatshe.