A 27-year-old man has been arrested for the alleged r@pe and m8rder of an 11-year-old girl in Mpumalanga, South Africa.


The body of the girl was found at a farm in Hendrina on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at about 7:30pm.


Mpumalanga police acting commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, who confirmed the arrest on Sunday, September 9, hailed detectives from Hendrina and Breyton police stations who managed to track down the suspect. 


“The swift action taken by the detectives is a commendable example of teamwork and diligence in the pursuit of justice,” he said.


“It is through such collaborative efforts that the police can ensure the safety and security of communities and hold those who commit heinous acts accountable for their crimes.” 


Police said the suspect murdered a man in February and was on R5,000 bail when he allegedly committed the latest crime.


He is due to appear in court soon. 


Earlier, the provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the suspect fled the scene after allegedly killing the girl.


“According to a report, the girl's mother was in search of her daughter but without any success, hence she reported her disappearance to the police. During the reporting, the woman informed the police that she suspects that her sister's male companion could know something about her daughter's sudden disappearance. She further explained that before her child went missing, the girl was last seen with the man in question,” Mdhuli said.


Police immediately went to the farm where the man lived to investigate and look for him, but he had already left. 


“The astute members somehow managed to get inside his shack. It was during this period when the men and women in blue noticed some blood stains inside the shack, then as they continued searching, about 100 metres away from the shack, they discovered the naked body of the child with some stab wounds. The little girl was unfortunately certified dead by the medical personnel at the scene. The preliminary investigation suggests that the girl could have been raped by the suspect,” Mdhuli said.