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Equestrians from Kimberley’s who came to the 19-year-old woman’s screams may have saved her life.
The incident happened at about 12am on Thursday at a pick-up point on the N8 at the intersection of Greenpoint Street and Kimberley Airport when a man attacked the woman and threatened to shoot her.
According to Brig. Police spokesman Mohale Ramatseba forced the man into a wooded area where he raped her and robbed her cellphone.
Ramatseba says the woman screamed for help when she saw the horsemen.
The riders immediately responded and chased the man, who fled. However, he got away.
Police were notified of the incident and members of the police unit for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (GKS) arrested the 21-year-old suspect at about 20:30 in the Greenpoint residential area.
Police seized the woman’s cellphone, which was apparently found in his possession.
Brig. GKS unit provincial head Nicky Mills praised the members for their actions, which, despite being on leave, acted immediately to help arrest the suspect.
Ramatseba says the suspect will soon appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on a charge of rape.
