South Africa: A 23 year old man was arrested after a missing teenager was located naked in his home in Tongaat – KZN earlier today (Thursday).
A search party were canvassing the area after a 16 year old female failed to return from school yesterday afternoon (Wednesday). She is a student at a school that caters for learners with physical and cognitive disorders. Her family confirmed that the teenager was dropped off by her transport near their home; however, she could not be located thereafter.
They launched a search party yesterday afternoon and canvassed the area for information. This morning, they were informed that the girl was seen in the company of a male near their home. They proceeded to his residence and located the female naked in his room.
News of the incident spread rapidly through the community when approximately 50 people arrived at the suspect’s home. They removed the female from the house and tear-gassed the suspect.
Residents thereafter contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) for assistance. Reaction Officers were immediately dispatched and arrived on the scene at approximately 08:47. It was established that the suspect was hiding inside the house. Residents were unable to enter due to the tear gas. The suspect exited the house after he was instructed to do so by Reaction Officers.
During an interview, he informed RUSA Members that he had seen the girl walking on the unpaved road near his house when he approached her. He convinced her to follow him home, where he removed her clothes and kept her naked throughout the night. He confirmed that he intended to rape her; however, he allegedly developed a guilty conscience about his desires. Due to her mental illness, the female was also unable to confirm if she was raped.
The suspect and the teenager were handed over to the Tongaat SAPS for further investigation.