McKeed Kotlolo

McKeed Kotlolo

A gardener who fell asleep after allegedly raping a 51-year-old Mpumalanga woman at the weekend has been released on warning.

Paul Johannes Simelane, 47, of Kwaggafontein, a gardener in Pretoria, allegedly entered a house at Kwagga C through the window, assaulted and raped the 51-year-old owner who was sleeping alone at home on Sunday morning.

Simelane appeared in the Mkobola magistrate's court where he was released on warning.

The case was postponed to January 10 next year for further investigations.

Police spokesman Superintendent Abie Khoabane said the victim was sleeping when she heard glass breaking in the dining room.

"She woke up to go and check what the matter was when she found a man in the house. The two struggled as the man tried to drag her to her bedroom.

"He allegedly overpowered the woman after assaulting her and then raped her.

"Thereafter, the man went into a deep sleep. The woman slipped out of the house and went to alert the neighbours. She then returned to the bedroom and slipped under the blankets again."

Khoabane said the man was awoken by voices of the neighbours. He then hastily put on his clothes, but it was too late and they apprehended him before he could escape.

Police were called in and he was arrested and taken into custody.

In another incident, Dirkiesdorp police in Mpumalanga are investigating a rape case in which a 65-year-old grandmother was attacked by a youth while sleeping in the early hours of Saturday.

The intruder allegedly raped and robbed her of cash.