SAPS Rescues Missing Girls and Arrests Suspect on Rape & Attempted Murder Charges

EASTERN CAPE – Two young girls of five- and six-years-old have been rescued, and a 49-year-old suspect has been arrested in New Brighton, South African Police Services (SAPS) confirmed Thursday afternoon.

The two young girls were reported missing by their parents yesterday evening after they did not return home by 18:00, SAPS said in a statement.

They were last seen playing in an open field in the Chris Hani informal area in New Brighton.

SAPS immediately responded by searching for the girls at known friends and family in the area, and by 23:00 the search was scaled up by utilising more police members, the SAPS K9 unit as well as the SAPS helicopter with search light.

The police searched through the night… conducting their search by foot patrols and searching from house to house in the area.

Police made a breakthrough when the first girl of six was found by police behind the Chevrolet Stadium just after midnight. She had been severely assaulted with stab wounds to her head and body, and was rushed to Dora Nginza Hospital.

Despite being in agony, the little girl bravely managed to give some information which led police to clamp down on a shack dwelling in Chris Hani, where the 5-year-old was found with a 49-year-old suspect at 04:45 Thursday morning.

Medical examinations confirmed that both girls were raped.

SAPS said the suspect was arrested and will be charged for abduction, attempted murder and rape, and will appear before the New Brighton Magistrates Court on Tuesday 26 September.

The Motherwell Cluster Commander, Major General Dawie Rabie expressed gratitude towards all the SAPS members who worked around the clock through the night in the search.

“Both girls were found and rescued from a very grim fate. SAPS will leave no stone unturned in this case and will make sure that this case receives priority and expert attention,” he added.

Police are also making an appeal to the New Brighton community to let the Law take its course and not to take the law into their own hands. This follows after angry residents destroyed the shack belonging to the suspect shortly after the rescue and arrest was made.

Source: SAPS