Eastern Cape police have arrested a suspect for the rape of a schoolgirl in Mdantsane in East London at the end of May.
Police spokesperson, Captain Mluleki Mbi, says the 34-year-old suspect was arrested in Unit Two in Mdantsane on Monday night.
"In line with our Back to Basics policing approach to thoroughly and responsively investigate every crime reported, investigators worked tirelessly around the clock since the discovery of the two partly decomposed bodies near the bushes in NU 6, Mdantsane and the rape of a young school girl on the 31 May 2017," he said.
"Their unending efforts paid off last nigh (Monday night) with the arrest of a 34-year-old suspect in Unit Mdantsane. He is expected to appear soon in the Mdantsane Magistrates Court on a charge of rape," Mbi said.
"This suspect has been linked to the rape of the young school girl who reported an attack on her by an unknown male in the vicinity where the decomposed bodies of two women were subsequently discovered. The cellphone belonging to the young girl was found in the possession of the suspect," he said.
"The possibility of linking the suspect to the bodies or other crimes in the area cannot be ruled out and the investigation continues," Mbi added..
"Furthermore, detectives took in another 37-year-old suspect for questioning and police believe that he could also share some light on the bodies discovered in the bushes last month in Mdantsane."
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutentant-General Liziwe Ntshinga welcomed the arrest and said that all leads will be followed up to confirm the possible involvement of the suspects in crimes in the area.
"Crimes against women and children are a top priority for the Eastern Cape Police and we will pursue every avenue to apprehend offenders who continue to terrorise women and children", she said.
