Wanted: Mark Paul, 41, sought by police for the rape of a minor

Police in Port Alfred, in the Eastern Cape, are calling on the community to help find Mark Paul, a suspect who is wanted for questioning on a charge of rape against a minor, which dates back to December 2019.

WARRANT OF ARREST ISSUED FOR PAUL

According to South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Captain Mali Govender, the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit in the small Eastern Cape Town called on the community to help find Mark Paul.

The 41-year-old suspect fled from Alexandria, where he worked on a farm, shortly after the rape case was opened in December 2019 and the town’s local Magistrate has issued a warrant for his arrest.

“Several attempts to contact him through his family and friends were unsuccessful,” said Govender, adding that Paul had not been reported missing.

According to information at the police’s disposal, Paul was living in Port Elizabeth after he fled Alexandria and he header to Uitenhage after that. He is best recognised by a distinctive tattoo, that marks one of his upper arms.

Any members of the public who have information that may assist the police in tracing Paul are encouraged to get in contact with the investigating officer – Detective Sergeant Yapi at 071-475-2361.

Alternatively, they can contact SAPS via the Crime Stop number at 08600-10111 or simply head to the nearest police station.

POLICE ARREST SUSPECT FOR RAPE AND MURDER OF TODDLER

In an unrelated incident, police in the North West arrested a 26-year-old suspect – after a five-day manhunt – for the alleged rape and murder of four-year-old Tshimologo Lotshabeng.

The suspect was arrested at his home in Jan Kempdorp, Northern Cape and it is alleged that he is a colleague of the child’s mother.

Tshimologo was tragically found dead in the bushes near Taung on Sunday and police launched a manhunt for the suspect .

“It is alleged that the suspect is a colleague and one of the people who accompanied Tshimologo’s mother from the tavern to her friend’s house where she slept,” said Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani. After the child’s mother fell asleep, the suspect allegedly took the toddler to bushes nearby and raped and killed her.

The suspect will appear in the Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 May. Police are still investigating the matter and they are considering pressing charges against the mother.