A man accused of rape was found dead in Krugersdorp on the West Rand on Thursday, police said.
Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini said the man appeared to have taken some poison. His body was found in Kudu Park in Rant-en-Dal.
Police were to have arrested the 57-year-old man at his home in the morning after a charge was laid against him on Saturday.
“The man was not at home when the police arrived. They later learnt that a local resident had found him dead in a public park.”
Dlamini said a 14-year-old teenager claimed she had been raped several times by her stepfather.
The matter was reported to the police during a child abuse and sexual offences campaign.
Dlamini said an inquest docket was opened but no foul play was suspected.
“We are waiting for the post-mortem results to establish the exact cause of the man's death.” - Sapa