A 44-year-old man has been arrested in Fianarantsoa and placed in custody. He is suspected of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy, according to police. The child was hospitalized at CHU Tambohobe in Fianarantsoa.
Caught in the act. A rape of a minor occurred in Fianarantsoa, in the Ankofafa district, yesterday around 3:30 a.m. According to police, a 44-year-old man entered a house while the mother was absent, claiming he was looking for her. Taking advantage of the 12-year-old boy being alone, he sexually assaulted him.
Despite the suspect's attempts to gag the boy, the child managed to scream and call for help. His cries alerted neighbors, who caught the middle-aged man in the act of assault. They overpowered him, narrowly preventing a lynching before police arrived.
Officers from the Ankofafa Police Station arrested the suspect and brought him to the station. The injured child was treated at Tambohobe University Hospital. The alleged rapist, also injured after being beaten by the crowd, was hospitalized under police surveillance.
Seven other children. The case has been handed over to specialized services for child protection to continue the investigation.
According to National Police data, cases of child rape are multiplying. Since the beginning of August, seven other children have been victims of sexual assault in different regions of the country. In Sofia, a 41-year-old man was arrested for raping a 12-year-old girl. In Tsiroanomandidy, a septuagenarian was jailed for identical crimes. In Tolagnaro, Sambava, Amparafaravola, and Antananarivo, children aged 6 to 13 suffered sexual crimes, with all suspected perpetrators arrested. In Morondava, a 27-year-old man was arrested for raping a 14-year-old girl, while in Toliara, a 16-year-old girl reported abuse by an astrologer.
The National Police affirm they are handling each case and systematically referring them to justice. They urge families and citizens to report any suspicious behavior without delay to protect children and prevent further tragedies. "Swift reporting of such acts remains the best weapon against these crimes," they emphasize.