A 99-year-old Port St Johns woman was allegedly raped in her house at the weekend by a relative.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Mali Govender said a suspect was arrested and charged with assaulting and raping the elderly woman.
He said the victim reported being alone and asleep in her homestead at Nkunzimbini locality when a relative first entered her house and attempted to strangle her.
He is reported to have fled the scene only to return later, which is when he allegedly raped her.Govender said the suspect was apprehended by members of the community on Saturday.
"The traumatised old victim sought the assistance of neighbours who reported the incident … to the headman who mobilised other community members to hunt the suspect. When the community found him they handed him over to the police," said Govender.
The suspect is due in court on Monday.In a separate incident, Butterworth police arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl.
It is alleged that the victim was sent by her mother to a spaza shop at Khwezi Informal Settlement on Saturday evening.
Butterworth police spokesperson Captain Jackson Manatha said, “While she was on her way to the spaza shop, the victim …dragged her to nearby bushes where he allegedly raped her.
Once the case was reported to the Msobomvu police, the suspect was traced and arrested on Sunday.”
Manatha said the suspect will appear before the Butterworth Magistrate’s court on Tuesday.Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga said priority must be given to investigations where the victims are women, children and the elderly.
“The investigating officer must ensure that every endeavour is made to oppose the bail of this suspect as he will intimidate witnesses.”..