Staff Reporter
Police have launched a manhunt for three unknown assailants after an 18-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped in the early hours of Friday while studying with a friend in the K8 Section in Kutloanong, Odendaalsrus, northern Free State.
Information from the police indicates that three unknown men entered the room where the two were studying through an unlocked door at about 2am.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Thandi Mbambo said in a statement the men allegedly demanded cash at knife point, searched the victims and then raped the female victim.
“The male friend tried to defend the victim but was stabbed in the head and neck and then tied up with a rope,” said Mbambo in the statement.
“The girl was then forcibly taken out of the premises and gang-raped again. Both victims’ cellphones were also stolen,” she added.
The matter was reported to the police and the male victim was referred to hospital for treatment where he was later discharged.
A case of house robbery, rape and kidnapping was registered for further investigation.
Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects should contact Detective Captain Jonassen Human on 082 850 8640 or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or, alternatively, send information via MySaps App.
Meanwhile, a 30-year old-man from Tumahole in Parys has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping a five-year-old victim.
The Parys Regional Court heard that on April 11, 2019, the victim was playing with her friends in Lusaka location in Tumahole.
Her mother and uncle became worried when it got a bit dark outside and the girl was not back home.
The family then went out to look for her with the assistance of the community.
At around 17:55 they went to the accused’s parental home which is on the same street with that of the victim.
The man became a suspect because they knew that he was using drugs and generally a notorious character.
They caught the man in the act with the victim in a backroom and took him to the police station.
He has stayed in custody since his arrest.
He was sentenced on March 29.