Family gathering turns tragic as relative arrested for alleged rape
A 28-year-old man was arrested by police in Cacadu Extension on Sunday, 27 April, following allegations of rape and attempted rape during a family traditional ceremony.
Police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 26 April, when a 38-year-old woman and her 28-year-old sister were allocated a room at the family homestead for the event.
At approximately 4 a.m., the older sister allegedly woke up to find someone undressing her before raping her.
“Fearing for her life, the victim could not scream as she claimed not to have known whether the suspect was in possession of a weapon, since the lights were off in the room,” said Mgolodela.
The suspect allegedly then attempted to attack the younger sister, but she managed to overpower him as he tried to remove her jeans. Amid the struggle, one of the sisters switched on the light, revealing that the attacker was their own relative.
The family immediately summoned elders, during which the suspect reportedly pleaded with them not to alert police, stating that he was already attending court for another rape case.
“He allegedly attempted to run but was caught,” said Mgolodela.
Police arrested the man at the scene. He is scheduled to appear in the Cacadu Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 29 April.
Reacting to the incident, District Commissioner Major General Rudolph Adolph said he was “saddened by the alarming rate of incidents of gender-based violence” and expressed hope for a retributive sentence should the suspect be found guilty of his alleged conduct.
IOL News