A man is expected to make his second court appearance in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s court on Thursday after he allegedly raped a 31-year-old female mental health patient before setting her alight.
The victim is a patient at Boschfontein near Schoemansdal in Mpumalanga.
Police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the incident occurred on 18 October but the 28-year-old accused was arrested on 22 October.
He appeared in court the next day and was remanded in custody.
According to the report, the victim was asleep with her younger sister when a neighbour came to knock their door.
“As she opened the door, the man is [alleged] to have violently grabbed her and dragged her out of the house and raped her at his place of residence.
“The man then allegedly set her alight and, when she was in flames, he tried to put out the flames using a cloth.
“Subsequent to the case being opened, police added to the rape case a charge of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm,” he said.
Mdhluli also slammed rumours saying that the charges against the man had been withdrawn.
He said the rumours were untrue.
