Community outraged as missing girl, 9, found in parolee's home in Hanover Park

A 51-YEAR-old man, reportedly released on parole recently, and arrested after a missing girl was found at his home, is expected in court today on a charge of rape.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

Police said there is a possibility that more charges may be added.

The desperate search for the missing nine-year-old girl turned into a night of chaos and violence in Hanover Park on Tuesday, after she was found inside the man’s home, just metres from where she was last seen.

The young girl had been on her way to mosque at around 3pm when she reportedly encountered a man who handed her R20 and asked her to buy milk from a nearby tuckshop. According to her family, she never returned.

Missing persons’ organisations were alerted and immediately began circulating posters of the child.

Her father said he was informed of her disappearance just as he arrived in Hanover Park from work.

“I had just stepped out of the taxi when my mother phoned me to say my daughter hadn't come home and they were looking for her,” he said.

“When I asked why I wasn't told sooner, she said she had just come home and they'd already checked the mosque and searched the area. We went to the girl she was walking with, who told us that a man gave her R20 for milk. My daughter went to take the milk to him and never came back. That girl didn’t see where the man went.”

The father said he did not know the suspect, although he recognised the house where she was later found.