Staff Reporter
A driver at Albert Nzula in Trompsburg has appeared in court facing a charge of raping a 14-year-old girl after giving her lift home.
The suspect, aged 38, made an initial appearance at the Trompsburg Magistrates Court on Monday, after being arrested at his home the previous day.
It is alleged that the girl was at a hiking spot along the N1 in Trompsburg on September 13 when a white Hyundai Combi with red registration plates stopped for her.
The suspect was travelling to Bloemfontein and the victim was travelling to Edenburg, about 40km away.
But upon reaching Edenburg, police say the suspect did not stop and proceeded to a hospital in Bloemfontein.
It’s not clear what he told the girl as the reason for him not dropping her off.
And on his return, the suspect again drove past Edenburg and proceeded to a house in Trompsburg where he allegedly raped the minor before letting her go.
She immediately went to the police to report the matter.
The police were able to trace the vehicle and the suspect was arrested the same day.
It was confirmed that he was the driver of the Hyundai Combi that belongs to Albert Nzula Hospital.
He is expected back in court on Thursday.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane has urged people to avoid hitch-hiking and use the official public transport.
She said if circumstances however force them to hitch-hike, they should take the vehicle’s registration number, the colour and make of the vehicle and send to their next of kin in order to make it easy to follow up in case they fail to reach their destination.