Girl, 4, found hanging from tree after alleged rape

Durban - A 4-year-old girl was found hanging from a tree after she was allegedly raped in Waterloo, Verulam, on Saturday morning, Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) said.

The girl was taken from her home at around 05:30 on Saturday morning after her grandmother had apparently left to visit someone in the area, Rusa head Prem Balram told News24. He believed she had been raped.

"The suspect cut a blanket in strips and tried to hang the child," he said.

When the grandmother returned home and realised the girl was missing, she launched a search party.

The girl was still alive when she was found.

The suspect allegedly ran into the bush when he saw the grandmother approaching.

Residents in the area called the Rusa control centre asking for assistance for the child because she was severely injured.

Paramedics found the child bleeding profusely, said Balram.

He said the girl knew the alleged rapist.

The girl has been taken to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

A manhunt was currently under way.