Community leaders in Cacadu are demanding that a man suspected of raping a number of children be denied bail.
The man, 29, was arrested on Sunday in connection with the rape of six primary school girls between the ages of six and 11. He is due to appear in the Cacadu magistrate's court on Tuesday.
His arrest follows a week-long manhunt.
The alleged rapes took place in KuMaqhashu, at Bhakubha, near Cacadu last week.
Police spokesperson Capt Namhla Mdleleni said the man was arrested after a parent of one of the alleged victims laid a complaint with the police.
''It is alleged that the young girls were on their way to school on October 15 when they met the suspect, who raped them all.
“After that he threatened to kill them if they reported the incident,'' said Mdleleni.
Councillor Badakazi Twala, chairperson of the Emalahleni municipality women's caucus, said many men had become “worse than animals” and accused them of “lacking morals and integrity”.
''Every day there are reported incidents of rape that target young children and elderly women, a sector which is so vulnerable. We are relieved that the police have made a breakthrough.
“We were afraid for our young daughters and granddaughters. We say no to bail,'' Twala said.
She said that there had been shocking incidents of gender violence and sexual abuse or children in wards 9, 10 and 11 and villages such as KuTshembeyi, Swartzwater, Emachumenu, Uitkyk, KuNdonga.
''It looks as though the campaign against abuse of women and children and the men's Not in my Name campaign has no affect here. The number of rapes are increasing alarmingly,'' said Twala.
She said there had been a similar incident in Machubeni in 2018 when six young girls were raped.
Education department spokesperson Loyiso Pulumane said it was deeply disturbing that innocent children on their way to school had allegedly been subjected to such “heinous acts''.