A 13-year-old primary school girl was allegedly raped while coming from school.

According to Insp Mboneni Mudimeli, spokesperson of the SAPS at Siloam, the incident occurred on Monday, 26 May, at around 16:00 at Ha-Mango near Mphephu School.

"The victim was coming from school and heading home when she was confronted by three suspects. They then grabbed her books and wrestled with her until they eventually overpowered her. One of the suspects then raped the girl," he said.

Mudimeli said the three suspects fled after the incident. The girl then proceeded home, where she reported the matter to her parents, who in turn alerted the police.

"We have since launched a manhunt for the three suspects who are now on the run. We are appealing to community members with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the Siloam Police on 015-973 5200," Mudimeli said.

Of late, there has been an upsurge in the number of rape cases in Siloam. Recently, two other girls from Phazimazuwa village were raped while coming from church, while a 59-year-old granny was also raped last week by some knife-wielding suspects who had descended on her home in Siloam.