Two alleged paedophiles have been arrested in two separate incidents after both men sexually assaulted underage boys in Verulam and Tongaat recently
In the first incident, the community of Waterloo erupted into chaos when a 57-year-old man was accused of sodomising several minor boys. He was apprehended and beaten by the community on Tuesday, 13 August.
Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), said they were called to assist at the corner of Rahima Moosa and Vezokuhle Road. He said: “On arrival, officers discovered approximately 100 residents threatening to castrate a man who was stripped of his pants and underwear.”
Reaction officers would establish that the accused is a resident of Parkgate and is allegedly employed at the eThekwini Municipality. He coaches soccer and conducts Bible studies classes with minor boys from Waterloo in his spare time.
“One of the boys informed his parents on Tuesday, 13 August, that the man drugged and raped him. His parents brought it to the attention of other residents who questioned their children. Four other boys, aged between 10 and 13, also confirmed that they were victims of the suspect,” said Balram.
The children alleged that they were afraid to inform their parents because the suspect threatened to murder their families if they sought any assistance. They informed reaction officers that the man had been sodomising them for approximately one year.
“He would escort them individually or in groups to his house where he would drug and rape them. During one incident, he escorted three children to his home one of the boys regained consciousness while his friend was being sexually assaulted,” said Balram.
The suspect was seriously injured during the mob attack and was placed under arrest and detained at SAPS Verulam. Constable Bongiwe Ngcobo, Verulam SAPS communications officer, said: “The suspect has been arrested and the case has been registered at the SAPS Verulam, however, rape cases are investigated by FCS at SAPS Phoenix.”
In the second incident, a 47-year-old man was arrested for the rape of a teenage boy in Tongaat on Tuesday, 13 August. The alarm was raised by the victim who bravely managed to retrieve his pocket knife, while being raped by the accused, and repeatedly stabbed his attacker.
Balram said a RUSA officer also attended that scene at Temple Drive in Mitchell Village at 10.49pm, after receiving reports that a seriously injured man was lying on the side of the road. “On arrival, reaction officers located the 47-year-old male bleeding profusely from his injuries. He informed RUSA members that he was the victim of a robbery,” said Balram.
Tongaat SAPS was summoned to the scene and on arrival, police confirmed that a teenager was at the police station registering a case of rape. The description of the suspect was similar to that of the injured man.
“The teenager arrived on scene and confirmed that the injured male was the same individual who raped him,” said Balram.
Captain JV Naidoo, Tongaat SAPS communications officer, said: “At approximately 6pm on Tuesday, 13 August, a 17-year-old African male complainant alleged that he was in the CBD when he was approached by an adult known to him who offered him an energy drink. After a few sips, the complainant left the drink with the man to use the toilet.”
Cpt Naidoo said that upon returning the complainant consumed more of the drink and was asked by the man to accompany him to a local tavern. “The next thing the complainant realised was that he woke up in Amanzimyama Park and felt the man kissing his neck. The complainant saw an Okapi knife, grabbed it, and stabbed the suspect multiple times,” said Cpt Naidoo.
He said a case of sexual assault was opened by the juvenile and a case of attempted murder was opened by the suspect.
