A 19-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly attacking and raping an elderly woman in the Southern Cape town of Riversdale near Mossel Bay.

It’s understood the suspect forced his way into the 75-year-old’s home on Sunday and assaulted and forced himself onto her.

The elderly woman managed to alert her neighbours. A search ensued as the perpetrator was known to her.

The suspect was arrested a day after the attack and has since been in police custody.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies says the suspect is expected to appear in the Riversdale Magistrate’s Court on charges of rape and assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm.