A 21-year-old man has been arrested and is in custody following the alleged rape of an 18-month-old girl in Beaufort West.
The accused appeared before the Beaufort West Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 18 March 2026. The case was postponed to 26 March 2026 for legal representation and a formal bail application.
According to police reports, the toddler was left in the man’s care on Monday, 16 March 2026, in the Kwa-Mandlenkosi area. When the child’s mother returned, she observed that the girl appeared uncomfortable. Upon investigating, she discovered the child had been violated. The matter was reported to the police.
The Beaufort West Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit is investigating the case. The accused faces a charge of rape and remains in custody.