By Doreen Mokgolo
He disguised his voice, making it sound like that of a woman in order to gain entry to the house where he is alleged to have raped a 15-year-old girl.
The man from the Ekuthuleni informal settlement in Ekurhuleni might have thought he had gotten away with his crime, but when community members heard about the teenager’s ordeal on Sunday, they turned the informal settlement upside down searching for the suspect.
The 34-year-old suspect was found, assaulted and stoned to death.
His penis was also removed with a knife and left next to his body, which was abandoned near Lefa-Ifa Secondary School in an open veld — the site of the alleged rape.
The victim’s mother told Scrolla.Africa that when she arrived home on Sunday morning she was shocked to find her daughter’s clothes torn on the floor.
She said the suspect gained entry to the home by pretending to be the girl’s aunt.
When the girl didn’t open, the suspect allegedly kicked the door open, forced himself in and assaulted the 15-year-old.
Then he allegedly dragged her out of the house to the open field near the Lefa-Ifa Secondary School where he raped her.
The girl told her mother that she had been raped by an unknown man. The community was informed about the incident and a manhunt ensued.
The suspect was found, identified by the victim and was subjected to mob justice.
Angry resident Mathew Mthombeni said they are tired of women and children in the community being raped and suspects receiving light sentences.
“This incident will send a harsh message to other rapists and criminals to play very far from our community,” said Mthombeni.
“This young woman was sleeping in her home when the perpetrator disturbed her peace and violated her. Now that he is dead, our community is safe.”
Kwa-Thema police spokesperson, Sergeant Nkululeko Magudulela, said the deceased was found with an open wound to the head and his penis had been mutilated with an unknown instrument.
“We are investigating a case of murder and rape; investigations are still underway.”
“We are urging anyone with information about the identity of the mob to come forward,” he said.
Pictured above: Residents of Ekuthuleni informal settlement
Image source: Supplied
